Team:Brasil-SP/Project/ResponseModule
From 2014.igem.org
Response Module
The reporter gene chosen for the output system was the GFP. The main reason for that choice was the simplicity in measuring its fluorescence with the fluorimeter and flow cytometry, but it can be replaced by any other reporter system. In the final development stage of the project we envision a output that do not need to be excited like the GFP does.
Note that the biossensor will perform a negative detection. In other words, when the patient is healthy we'll have no fluorescence, and when in a unhealthy situation the bacteria will not glow. In a more realistic approach, we do not expect our system to have only two intensities (zero or maximum glow). What might happen is that we'll have a more continuous spectrum of intensities, which would make it harder to differentiate between a negative and positive diagnosis. To deal with this problem we are adding a negative control in our microfluidic device. In this negative chamber there will be no blood serum in contact with our bacteria, therefore cathepsin S will work at full potencial generating a maximum LasR production and consequently maximum fluorescence.