Team:LMU-Munich/Project/B subtilis
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- | We are aiming to introduce Quorum Sensing modules from the two Gram-positive pathogens ''Staphylococcus aureus'' and ''Streptococcus pneumoniae'' in an appropriate chassis that will sense and kill these pathogens | + | We are aiming to introduce Quorum Sensing modules from the two Gram-positive pathogens ''Staphylococcus aureus'' and ''Streptococcus pneumoniae'' in an appropriate chassis that will sense and eventually kill these pathogens. |
+ | <br>As ''Bacillus subtilis'' is a Gram-positive rod shaped bacterium and many of us had good experiences working with that microorganism we took ''B. subtilis'' as our chassis organism of choice. Furthermore, the G+C contents of ''B. subtilis'' (43.5%) ''S. aureus'' (32.8%)and ''S. pneumoniae'' (39.xx%) are comparable, which is of great advantage for heterologous gene expression. | ||
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Revision as of 20:29, 7 October 2014
B. subtilis
We are aiming to introduce Quorum Sensing modules from the two Gram-positive pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in an appropriate chassis that will sense and eventually kill these pathogens.
As Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive rod shaped bacterium and many of us had good experiences working with that microorganism we took B. subtilis as our chassis organism of choice. Furthermore, the G+C contents of B. subtilis (43.5%) S. aureus (32.8%)and S. pneumoniae (39.xx%) are comparable, which is of great advantage for heterologous gene expression.
Hi there!
Welcome to our Wiki! I'm BaKillus, the pathogen-hunting microbe, and I'll guide you on this tour through our project. If you want to learn more about a specific step, you can simply close the tour and come back to it anytime you like. So let's start!
What's the problem?
First of all, what am I doing here? The problem is, pathogenic bacteria all around the world are becoming more and more resistant against antimicrobial drugs. One major reason for the trend is the inappropriate use of drugs. With my BaKillus super powers, I want to reduce this misuse and thus do my part to save global health.
Sensing of pathogens
To combat the pathogenic bacteria, I simply eavesdrop on their communication. Bacteria talk with each other via quorum sensing systems, which I use to detect them and trigger my responses.
Adhesion
The more specific and effective I can use my powers, the lower the danger is of provoking new resistance development. So I catch pathogens whenever I get hold of them and stick to them until my work is done.
Killing
Talking about my work - killing pathogens is finally what I am made for. In response to quorum sensing molecules of the pathogens, I export a range of antimicrobial substances leading to dissipation of biofilms and the killing of the targeted bacteria.
Suicide switch
When the job is done and all the bad guys are finished, you don't need a super hero anymore. So after fulfilling my work I say goodbye to the world by activating my suicide switch.
Application
Of course I'm not only a fictional hero, but a very real one. In two different prototypes, I could be used for diagnosis or treatment of pathogen-caused diseases. However, there is still a whole lot of regulational and economical questions that have to be answered before.
See you!
So now you know my short story - and it is time for me to return to my fight for a safer world. Feel free to take a closer look on my super powers, the process of my development or the plans for a medical application.