Idea

Is it possible to build complex ordered structures from bacteria? Is it possible to manipulate E.coli to become artificially multicellular? The UiOslo team took the challenge and is aiming to build a micro organizer – a system for organizing E.coli in a predetermined way. In our project we are trying to create biobricks that at the same time gives E.coli surface identity, binds physically to other bacteria according to their surface identity and transfer a signal to the inside of the bacteria about its binding state. This signal can again be used to select for only those bacteria that have bound to each other in the correct configuration. This will make it possible to build and preserve any desired configuration of different bacteria. Thus bacteria can be units in even more complex genetically engineered machines where each type of bacteria has its own function and location in complex multistep procedures. The system should have a wide variety of applications and could be used in for instance biological manufacturing, remediation processes, biocomputers.

The System

So what kinds of biobricks could possibly fulfill these tasks? The answer is split enzymes coupled to autoexporter proteins from E.coli. Split enzymes are enzymes consisting of two or more separated parts that will only work when they are assembled correctly. The enzyme parts also have a natural affinity for each other and can assemble and give activity in solution. By expressing different parts of the enzyme on the surface of different bacteria, the bacteria will have a unique surface identity and the potensial to bind to the bacteria with the matching enzyme part. Only interacting bacteria will give enzyme activity and this activity can be used to select against unbound bacteria by inducing or inhibiting the bacterias gene expression. The autoexporter makes sure the enzyme parts are presented and attached to the bacterial surface.

Our Projects

We are trying to build such a system by using the Lac Z gene. This gene codes for β-galactosidase which can be split into two parts β-galactosidase-α and β-galactosidase-β.