ACT/SGER: Chemical Detection Modules Engineered From Bacterial Signaling Proteins

马萨诸塞大学的罗伯特·韦斯教授正在利用细菌信号蛋白在大肠杆菌中进行趋化作用，这是一种新的传感器设计。他们的想法是制造一种自给自足的受体-酶联合放大器，它可以特定地结合所选择的小分子，并通过调节相关酶的活性来放大信号，以指示分子的存在。这些所谓的“化学探测模块”设计的另一个令人向往的方面是它们的自组装能力，以用于大型阵列。该项目的目标是设计出大肠杆菌的趋氧性受体。这项工作是：1.使用定点突变改变受体的结合特异性；2.通过设计一种蛋白质连接作为自组装的模板进行自组装。两名研究生将参与这项关于生物启发感官的工作。该奖项由美国国家科学基金会和情报界共同支持。数学和物理科学局的反恐方法方案支持基础研究和劳动力发展方面的新概念，有可能对国家安全作出贡献。

Professor Robert Weis of the University of Massachusetts is utilizing bacterial signaling proteins responsible for chemotaxis in Escherichia coli in a new design for sensors. The idea is to make a self-contained combined receptor-enzyme amplifier that can specifically bind small molecules of choice, and by regulating the activity of an associated enzyme, amplify a signal to indicate the presence of the molecule. Another desirable aspect in the design of these so-called "chemical detection modules" is their ability to self-assemble, for use in large arrays. The goal of this project is to engineer the E. coli oxygen taxis receptor. The work is to 1. alter the binding specificity of the receptor using site-directed mutagenesis and 2. self-assemble by engineering a protein attachment that acts as a template for the self-assembly. Two graduate students will be involved in this work on biologically-inspired sensing.This award is supported jointly by the NSF and the Intelligence Community. The Approaches to Combat Terrorism Program in the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences supports new concepts in basic research and workforce development with the potential to contribute to national security.