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Kentuck- E . Derby

This project, developed by students at Ouachita Baptist University, focuses on engineering a biological "wire" that can transmit chemical signals through cell communication. Utilizing an active, hands-on methodology, students engage in semester-long projects that promote abstract thinking and collaboration. Key components include the use of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) for bacterial quorum sensing and techniques for signal detection and communication. The initiative emphasizes practical applications in biology and computer science, leveraging data acquisition tools for innovative learning experiences.

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Kentuck- E . Derby

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  1. Kentuck-E. Derby Nathan Reyna, Biology Jeff Matocha, Computer Science Ouachita Baptist University

  2. Project Goals • Active, hands-on approach to teaching basic biology and computer science concepts • Encourage abstract thinking • Keeps students/faculty engaged in a semester long project. • Have fun

  3. Initial Signal Project Overview • Goal • To engineer a biological “wire” capable of propagating a chemical signal down its length

  4. Doh! Harvard iGEM 2005 Kang-Xing Jin Yin Li Thomas Noriega Daniel Popper Alexander Rush Yves Wang Orr Ashenberg Patrick Bradley Connie Cheng Chris Doucette Hing Eng Jennifer Gao

  5. Requirements • Inducible Promoter • Product/Signal that activates promoters in other cells • Secrete product outside of cell • Cell to cell communication/Quorum sensing • Detection Method

  6. Method • Signal: acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) used in bacterial quorum sensing • Lux system: 3OC6HSL • Las system: 3OC12HSL • Sender device • Other promoters associated with cell to cell communication • Most are “in planning” stage • LacI generator • LacI promoter

  7. Harvard’s Conclusions • Conclusions • Degradation tags, RBS/promoter strength may need fine-tuning • Because of positive feedback, noise is amplified • Further experiments necessary

  8. Tracking the Horses • GFP production across plate • Change in pH gradient • Vernier conductivity probe • Senses changes in pH • Connects to a computer • Currently use probes in Freshman Bio and Gen Chem

  9. CS student projects • Data acquisition • interfacing with probes • Data reporting

  10. Computer Science Time

  11. Not just a one heat race • Reduce pathway bottlenecks • Diffusion rates/distance between cells

  12. Questions • What promoter/signal pairs do we have? • Are they secreted outside the cell?

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