Team:Aachen/Project/2D Biosensor

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=== Optimal agarose concentration for sensor chip manufacturing ===
=== Optimal agarose concentration for sensor chip manufacturing ===
For the sensor chip manufacturing, agarose was preferred over agar, because of a uniform linkage that resulted in a better chip homogeneity. In addition, agarose reduced diffusion of the inducer molecules through the chip. A reduced diffusion is vital to observe distinct fluorescent spots on the sensor chips and thus further optimzation of our 2D biosensor was done using agarose-based chips.
For the sensor chip manufacturing, agarose was preferred over agar, because of a uniform linkage that resulted in a better chip homogeneity. In addition, agarose reduced diffusion of the inducer molecules through the chip. A reduced diffusion is vital to observe distinct fluorescent spots on the sensor chips and thus further optimzation of our 2D biosensor was done using agarose-based chips.
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{{Team:Aachen/FigureFloat|Aachen_Final_chipform.jpg|title=The finalized chip mold|subtitle=An open casting mold was found to be optimal for sensor chip manufacturing, because this approach was fast, easy to handle and generated a reproducible chip quality. In addition nine sensor chips could be produced simultaneously.|left|width=500px}}
=== Optimal chip configuration ===
=== Optimal chip configuration ===
Several approaches were tested for the production of agarose-based sensor chips with reproducible quality. The first approach was to cast every sensor chip individually. To achieve a plain chip surface (a requisite for high quality images), we casted the sensor chips between two microscope slides in an initial attempt. However, this approach was rejected, because the agar was too liquid and leaked from the microscope slides. In the second approach, we prepared a closed mold into which liquid agar was injected with a pipette, but we encountered a high number of bubbles in the resulting chips. Bubbles in the sensor chips interfered with fluorescence evaluation. Finally, we used an open mold into which the agar was poured right after mixing with the sensor cells. Chips were cut out along precast indentations in the casting mold after the agar solidified. An advantage of the open mold was the ability to simultaneously produce nine sensor chips while the surface tension of the liquid agar ensured a plane chip surface.
Several approaches were tested for the production of agarose-based sensor chips with reproducible quality. The first approach was to cast every sensor chip individually. To achieve a plain chip surface (a requisite for high quality images), we casted the sensor chips between two microscope slides in an initial attempt. However, this approach was rejected, because the agar was too liquid and leaked from the microscope slides. In the second approach, we prepared a closed mold into which liquid agar was injected with a pipette, but we encountered a high number of bubbles in the resulting chips. Bubbles in the sensor chips interfered with fluorescence evaluation. Finally, we used an open mold into which the agar was poured right after mixing with the sensor cells. Chips were cut out along precast indentations in the casting mold after the agar solidified. An advantage of the open mold was the ability to simultaneously produce nine sensor chips while the surface tension of the liquid agar ensured a plane chip surface.
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{{Team:Aachen/FigureFloat|Aachen_Final_chipform.jpg|title=The finalized chip mold|subtitle=An open casting mold was found to be optimal for sensor chip manufacturing, because this approach was fast, easy to handle and generated a reproducible chip quality. In addition nine sensor chips could be produced simultaneously.|left|width=500px}}
 
=== Induction of the sensor chips ===
=== Induction of the sensor chips ===
For initial testing of our molecular constructs, we simulated the presence of ''P. aeruginosa'' using IPTG or 3-oxo-C12 HSL. However, for induction a minimal volume is required as our initial experiments showed that diffusion of the inducers through the chip hindered the formation of distinct spots on the chips. An optimal and low volume of 0.2 µl  was chosen for induction. Sensor cells based on ''E. coli'' BL21, which incorporated the [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Parts#partsK1319042 K1319042] construct were able to detect IPTG concentrations down to 1 mM (0.2 µl), and as well for the sensor cells based on ''E. coli'' BL21 which incorporated the REACh constructs. Sensor cells based on ''E. coli'' BL21, which incorporated the [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K131026 K131026] construct were able to detect HSL concentrations down to 500 µg/ml (0.2 µl). Furthermore, detection of growing ''P. aeruginosa'' cells based on secreted HSLs was possible using the [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K131026 K131026] construct. The experiments conducted during induction of our sensor chips are described in more detail in the [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Project/2D_Biosensor#biosensorachievements Achievements] section.
For initial testing of our molecular constructs, we simulated the presence of ''P. aeruginosa'' using IPTG or 3-oxo-C12 HSL. However, for induction a minimal volume is required as our initial experiments showed that diffusion of the inducers through the chip hindered the formation of distinct spots on the chips. An optimal and low volume of 0.2 µl  was chosen for induction. Sensor cells based on ''E. coli'' BL21, which incorporated the [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Parts#partsK1319042 K1319042] construct were able to detect IPTG concentrations down to 1 mM (0.2 µl), and as well for the sensor cells based on ''E. coli'' BL21 which incorporated the REACh constructs. Sensor cells based on ''E. coli'' BL21, which incorporated the [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K131026 K131026] construct were able to detect HSL concentrations down to 500 µg/ml (0.2 µl). Furthermore, detection of growing ''P. aeruginosa'' cells based on secreted HSLs was possible using the [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K131026 K131026] construct. The experiments conducted during induction of our sensor chips are described in more detail in the [https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aachen/Project/2D_Biosensor#biosensorachievements Achievements] section.

Revision as of 21:01, 17 October 2014

2D Biosensor

With our 2D biosensor technology we are able to detect the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa on solid surfaces. The sensor system is comprised of two distinct but inseparable modules, a biological and a technical part:

  • Sensor chips containing Cellocks, our engineered detective cells that fluoresce in the presence of the pathogen, make up the biological part of Cellock Holmes.
  • Our measurement device WatsOn and the complementary software Measurarty complete our sensing technology on the technical side.


Aachen 15-10-14 Principle of operation 2D sensor ipo.png

Principle of Operation

Cellock Holmes is designed upon a SynBio approach comprising a two-dimensional biosensor and a measurement unit. The two-dimensional biosensor is devised to recognize quorum sensing molecules secreted by the pathogen cells and to generate a distinct fluorescence signal; while the measurement device recognizes and analyzes the produced signal.
On the molecular side, we use the REACh construct to transform regular E. coli cells into Cellocks.

Aachen 17-10-14 The basics of quorum sensing ipo.png
The principle of quorum sensing
Microorganisms can sense the presence of their own kind based on quorum sensing which is a form of chemical communication. Depending on their cell density, quorum sensing allows these cells to activate or deactivate certain gene expression cascades (Waters and Bassler, 2005) for a specific function.

Our sensor cells, Cellocks, are immobilized in agar chips. To make the chips, we mix the Cellocks with liquid LB agar. In the course of our project, we designed a casting mold specifically for the production of our agar chips. When the agar has cooled down, the chips are cut out of the mold and are ready to use. Storage of the readily usable sensor chips is possible for up to 2 days at 4°C when using LB medium or up to 5 days if TB medium is used. A detailed description of the sensor chip manufacturing can be found in our Protocols section.

Aachen 14-10-14 Flowsheet OD-device part1 ipo.png
Assay to detect P. aeruginosa using Cellock Holmes
This flow sheet shows the procedure to sample and detect P. aeruginosa: A sampling chip is briefly put onto the potentially contaminated surface, added onto one of our sensor chips and inserted into WatsOn.

Using Cellock Holmes, we developed a simple assay to detect P. aeruginosa.
Initially, a so called sampling chip is placed on a solid surface that is potentially contaminated with the pathogen. Subsequently, the sampling chip is removed from the surface and put onto one of our sensor chips. Theorectically, the sensor chips could be directly used for sampling, however, this was avoided in our project to match biosafety regulations and to prevent the spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment. The two layered chip-stack is then put into a petri dish which is inserted into our measurement device WatsOn for evalutation.

Aachen 14-10-14 Flowsheet OD-device part2 ipo.png
Mode of action inside WatsOn
Chips are incubated at 37°C to stimulate cell growth and then illuminated with blue light to excite fluorescence. A picture is taken and analyzed for fluorescence signals using the software Measurarty.

Inside WatsOn, the chips are incubated at 37°C and the sampled populations of microorganisms attached on the sampling chip start to grow and multiply. During incubation the chips can be illuminated with blue light at any time, and a photo of the chips is taken. The software Measurarty then analyzes any fluorescent signal.
P. aeruginosa secrets an increasing number of quorum sensing molecules that are recognized by Cellocks, thereby producing a fluorescence signal. For detection of P. aeruginosa, we focused on a quorum sensing molecule called N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (for short: 3-oxo-C12-HSL), which is involved in virulence regulation of P. aeruginosa (Jimenez, Koch, Thompson et al., 2012). The incorporation of the 3-oxo-C12-HSL detection system into the Cellocks is explained in detail in the REACh Construct section.


Aachen 14-10-16 Iterative Process iNB.png

Development & Optimization

Aachen ILOV GFP HM 1,5h.png
iLOV and GFP in the Gel DocTM
Sensor cells producing iLOV (A) and GFP (B) 1.5 h after induction.

Equipment and medium selection

Our first approach (before developing our own device) was to use the Molecular Imager® Gel Doc™ XR+ from BIO-RAD in our lab to detect fluorescence, which uses UV and white light illuminators. However, only two different filters were available for the excitation light wavelength, which resulted in very limited possibilities for the excitation of fluorescent molecules. For example, it was possible to detect the expression of iLOV in our sensor chips, but in contrast the detection of GFP was not possible. Hence, the Gel Doc™ was not suitable for our project.

Aachen Chip medium geldoc.png
Differend medium in the Gel Doc™
complex media exhibited high background fluorescence while less back- ground fluorescence was observed with the minimal media (HM, M9, NA).
Aachen 5days K131026 neb tb 1,5h.jpg
Testing our chips' shelf-life
Chips of [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K131026 K131026] in NEB were stored 5 days at 4°C. The right chip was induced with 0.2 µL of 500 µg/mL HSL and an image was taken after 1.5 h.

We tested different media (i.e. LB, M9, NA, HM and TB) for the preparation of our sensor chips. The details of media composition can be found in the Protocols section. We screened for an optimized media composition that results in minimal background fluorescence and supports cell growth. The resuts of the analysis are presented in the table below. Because of the reduced fluorescence compared to TB medium when using WatsOn for sensor chip evaluation and because of sufficient cultivation conditions for our Cellocks LB medium was chosen over TB medium for sensor hip manufacturing.

LB TB NA M9 HM
Growth of Cellock
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+
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-
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Background fluorescence in GelDoc
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+
-
-
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Background fluorescence in WatsOn
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+
-
-
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Experiments were conducted to test long-time storage of the sensor chips at low temperature and by the addition of glycerol. Storage at -20°C resulted in the loss of our sensor cells. Adding 5-10% (v/v) glycerol ensured survival of the sensor cells, but resulted in an expression stop of fluorescence proteins. Hence, we concluded that long time storage of the sensor chips is not possible under the tested conditions. However, it is possible to store 'ready-to-use' sensor chips for 2 days at 4°C when using LB medium and storage for 5 days was possible with chips made from TB medium.

Aachen 2 chipform.jpg
Sensor chip manufacturing using the closed mold
When injecting the liquid agar into a closed mold we encounter problems due to frequent bubble formation.

Optimal agarose concentration for sensor chip manufacturing

For the sensor chip manufacturing, agarose was preferred over agar, because of a uniform linkage that resulted in a better chip homogeneity. In addition, agarose reduced diffusion of the inducer molecules through the chip. A reduced diffusion is vital to observe distinct fluorescent spots on the sensor chips and thus further optimzation of our 2D biosensor was done using agarose-based chips.

Aachen Final chipform.jpg
The finalized chip mold
An open casting mold was found to be optimal for sensor chip manufacturing, because this approach was fast, easy to handle and generated a reproducible chip quality. In addition nine sensor chips could be produced simultaneously.

Optimal chip configuration

Several approaches were tested for the production of agarose-based sensor chips with reproducible quality. The first approach was to cast every sensor chip individually. To achieve a plain chip surface (a requisite for high quality images), we casted the sensor chips between two microscope slides in an initial attempt. However, this approach was rejected, because the agar was too liquid and leaked from the microscope slides. In the second approach, we prepared a closed mold into which liquid agar was injected with a pipette, but we encountered a high number of bubbles in the resulting chips. Bubbles in the sensor chips interfered with fluorescence evaluation. Finally, we used an open mold into which the agar was poured right after mixing with the sensor cells. Chips were cut out along precast indentations in the casting mold after the agar solidified. An advantage of the open mold was the ability to simultaneously produce nine sensor chips while the surface tension of the liquid agar ensured a plane chip surface.

Induction of the sensor chips

For initial testing of our molecular constructs, we simulated the presence of P. aeruginosa using IPTG or 3-oxo-C12 HSL. However, for induction a minimal volume is required as our initial experiments showed that diffusion of the inducers through the chip hindered the formation of distinct spots on the chips. An optimal and low volume of 0.2 µl was chosen for induction. Sensor cells based on E. coli BL21, which incorporated the K1319042 construct were able to detect IPTG concentrations down to 1 mM (0.2 µl), and as well for the sensor cells based on E. coli BL21 which incorporated the REACh constructs. Sensor cells based on E. coli BL21, which incorporated the [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K131026 K131026] construct were able to detect HSL concentrations down to 500 µg/ml (0.2 µl). Furthermore, detection of growing P. aeruginosa cells based on secreted HSLs was possible using the [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K131026 K131026] construct. The experiments conducted during induction of our sensor chips are described in more detail in the Achievements section.

Aachen 14-10-15 Medal Cellocks iNB.png

Achievements

We are able to detect IPTG, 3-oxo-C12 HSL and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To prove that the sensor constructs produce the flourescence signal and not the medium or E. coli in its own we have [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_B0015 B0015] in NEB as a negativ control for IPTG, HSL and Pseudomonas aeruginosa induction.

Aachen B0015 IPTG HSL Pseudomonas.png
Negativ control
B0015 in NEB as negativ control induced with A) 0.2 µl of 100 mM IPTG, image taken after 2.5 h; B) 0.2 µl of 500 µg/ml HSL (3-oxo-C12), image after 2.5 h; C) with 5 spots of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the left and one big spot on the right, image taken after 2 h

Testing our Sensor Chips in a Plate Reader

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Testing K1319042 in our sensor chips
K1319042 in our sensor chip induced with 2 µL IPTG and measured with a plate reader. Blue color indicates no fluorescence, red color indicates fluorescence. Top chip is not induced, bottom chip is induced with IPTG.

To establish a prove of principle we used our construct [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1319042 K1319042] an IPTG inducible iLOV. They were introduced into our sensor chips and then fluorescence was measured every 15 minutes after an induction with 2 µl 100 mM IPTG (gif on the left).

There is a clear difference in fluorescence between the not induced chip (top) and the induced chip (bottom). It is distinctively visible that the middle of the bottom chip start to exhibit fluorescence and then the fluorescence increases over time and spreads outward. The top chip also shows a slight increase in measured fluorescence but it is nowhere near the level of the induced chip and is primarily attributable to a leaky promoter and the background fluorescence.

This demonstrates a general proof of principle of the sensor chip design. Therefore the next was testing the detection of 3-oxo-C12 HSL.





Detecting 3-oxo-C12 HSL with Sensor Chips

360px
Testing K131026 in our sensor chips
K131026 in our sensor chip induced with 0.2 µL 3-oxo-C12 HSL and measured with a plate reader. Blue color indicates no fluorescence, red color indicates fluorescence. Top chip is not induced, bottom chip is induced with IPTG.

As a next step, we used [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K131026 K131026] from the 2008 iGEM Team Calgary in our sensor chips to detect 3-oxo-C12 HSL which is produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa during quorum sensing. First, we tested them by direct induction with purified 3-oxo-C12 HSL (0.2 µL, 500 µg/mL). A fluorescence measurement was taken every 15 minutes with an excitation wavelength of 496 nm and an emission wavelength of 516 nm (for GFP).

The measured fluorescence again showed a distinct signal on the induced chip (bottom) compared to the uninduced chip (top). The fluorescence clearly starts in the middle of the chip (point of induction) and then extends outwards, still showing an ever increasing signal of fluorescence. The base level of fluorescence is attributed to leakiness of the promoter and general background fluorescence of growing E. coli cells. In the induced chip (bottom), the background fluorescence is a lot lower than in the uninduced chip (top) because the signal masks the noise. The difference between the induced and uninduced chips indicates a clear response to the HSL and a proof for the ability of our sensor chip design to detect the HSL produced by Pseudomonas  aeruginosa.

Detecting IPTG with Sensor Chips

480px
IPTG inducible superfolder GFP (I746909) in sensor chips
IPTG inducible superfolder GFP (I746909) is induced with IPTG (2 µl, 100mM) on the right chip with a non induced chip on the left

This video shows the construct [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_I746909 I746909] from the 2007 iGEM Team Cambridge. This BioBrick is a producer of superfolder GFP under the control of a T7 promoter. It was introduced into BL21(DE3) cells making the expression IPTG inducible through the T7 RNA Polymerase encoded in the genome of BL21(DE3) under the control of a lacI promoter.

The left chip does not show visible fluorescence and the right chip exhibits a strong fluorescence signal showing clearly the ability of the sensor chip technology to detect IPTG. On top of that, the fluorescence response is strong enough to be detected and analyzed by the measurement device WatsOn.







Detecting the 3-oxo-C12 HSL with K131026 in our Sensor Chips with WatsOn

480px
Detection of 3-oxo-C12 HSL with K131026
0.2 µL of 3-oxo-C12 HSL was placed in the middle of the chip and then incubated at 37°C in WatsOn.

The next step towards the final goal to detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa was to replicate the detection of 3-oxo-C12 HSL, which was established in the plate reader, in our own WatsOn device. Therefore, we again used K131026 as our construct in E. coli BL21(DE3) cells and induced with 0.2 µL 3-oxo-C12 HSL with a concentration of 500 µg/mL. The right chip was induced and - as a negative control - the left chip was not induced. Pictures were taken every 4 minutes.

The result was a clear replication of the success of the plate reader experiment. The induced chip shows a clear fluorescence response eminating from the center where the induction with HSL took place. This demonstrates the ability of not only our sensor chips but also our measurement device WatsOn to successfully detect 3-oxo-C12 HSL.

Detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa with K131026 in our Sensor Chip with WatsOn

480px
Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with K131026
Direct detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on our sensor chips. Sensor cell used were K131026.

After establishing the successful detection of 3-oxo-C12 with our sensor chips the next step was the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with our measurement device WatsOn. Therefore sensor chips with K131026 were again prepared and the right chip was induced with 0.2 µl of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture while the left chip was not induced.

The results clearly demonstrate our ability to detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa with our measurement device WatsOn. On the induced chip a definite fluorescence response is visible in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The fluorescence eminates outward from the induction point and shows a significant difference to the non induced chip. Therefore detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is possible with our sensor chip technology in our measurement device WatsOn!

Aachen 14-10-16 Outlook Cellocks iNB.png

Outlook

After successfully detecting P. aeruginosa, the next step in developing our sensor chip platform further is an improvement of the sampling chip. The current technique of using a simple agarose chip is not sufficient to collect all microorganisms from the sampled surface. Therefore, the aim is to improve the sampling chip by trying different, more adhesive material.

Furthermore, diffusion in the sensor chips will be reduced to limit the spread of the fluorescence signal. Currently, the fluorescence spot grows at lot beyond the point of detection and makes it difficult to successfully differentitate between multiple points of induction. By introducing different diffusion barriers into our chips, the growth of the fluorescence spots might be limited, thus enabling the detection of multiple sources of fluorescence lying close together.

Additionally, the application of our sensor chips in combination with our WatsOn device is currently being evaluated for the detection of signals other than fluorescence. Detecting bio- and chemiluminescence has been identified as an area of potential future application.


References

  • Waters, C. M., & Bassler, B. L. (2005). QUORUM SENSING: Cell-to-Cell Communication In Bacteria. Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, 21(1), 319-346. Available online at http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev.cellbio.21.012704.131001.
  • Jimenez, P. N., Koch, G., Thompson, J. A., Xavier, K. B., Cool, R. H., & Quax, W. J. (2012). The Multiple Signaling Systems Regulating Virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 76(1), 46-65. Available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294424/#B63.

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