Talking Life

Talking life in 150 words

Do you speak to your bacteria? We do. We have designed, constructed and characterized an inter-specific translator based on light pulses that allows to literally dialogue with microorganisms. We have built seven biobricks with fluorescent proteins under the control of environmentally-sensitive promoters. The process is as follows: human voice messages are electronically- and then light-encoded in excitation wavelengths, and microbial proteins’ emission wavelengths are electronically- and voice-encoded back. We have used this system to find out the fermentative status of budding yeast and to dialogue with E. coli allowing it to answer questions such as “are you hungry?” The three pillars of our project (human practices, modeling and wetlab) yielded continuous feedback with each other, illustrating an integrated interdisciplinary approach. For example, in human practices, we qualitatively discussed the possibility of cheater mutant (“liers”), which was quantitatively supported by our results in both our modeling simulations and in the wetlab.

Who said scientists don't care about microbial cultures?

This year, València Biocampus team members are going to break down communication frontiers among species through an artificial language based on wavelengths, which will allow us to know more about the requirements of the microorganisms we thrive everyday in our labs. Depending on different metabolic conditions, our microorganisms (bacteria and yeast) will express genes that are under the control of promoters sensitive to these nutrients and codify for different fluorescent proteins. Therefore, by using a fluorimeter controlled by voice-recognition software, we are able to ask and get answers (like real-life talking!) about the bacteria environment! Moreover we have a brand-new experience, related to UV-regulated promoter, in which we dictate what the bacterium has to produce!

We have achieved good results so far. After ordering a total number of 7 different constructions (5 for bacteria, 2 for yeast) synthesized chemically we transformed competent cells and they responded very well to their medium conditions. We are, right now, working on improving the nutrient-sensing part.

Our final goal is to characterize and model completely well bacteria interaction regarding to these nutrient factors, how they behave then and how they answer to the different conditions. In addition, we would like to design a self-made-but-cool device for carrying out the whole trial. And last, but not least, our Human Practices team has an awesome story-telling script for the audience!

We are looking forward to seeing you all and enjoy together this amazing experience! ☺

Crowdfunding

More information: http://www.indiegogo.com/vlcbiocampusIGEM

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