SGER: Pattern generation in a hybrid solid state/synthetic bacterial system

目的：本研究的目的是研究一种混合细菌微系统，其中细胞和化学界面芯片之间的双向通信使基因表达的二维模式成为可能。研究人员将演示a）芯片上基因表达的直接激活和失活以及B）由微芯片驱动的遗传图灵反应扩散系统。智力优点：在这项工作中，最初相同的细胞将在固体，二维营养层上生长，由微流体系统支持并与微流体系统接触，该微流体系统设计用于控制pH值或其他环境参数。 微系统将在精确的可编程控制下扰乱选定细胞或亚群的环境，以实现基因表达的局部变化。 个体或小亚群中所需化合物的生长和产生将独立于位于活性基底上方的光学装置进行监测。 该技术将能够以类似于发育生物学中的分化方案的方式，从合作的细胞群中构建一类新的有机结构。 化学微系统是这一愿景的基本组成部分，因为它们将允许控制和模式化这种多细胞合成系统。 这种微接口将打开微系统可寻址多细胞系统的生物制造革命的大门。更广泛的影响：该项目具有非常高的跨学科范围。对于合成生物学家和微系统工程师来说，这些化学界面将为他们控制合成系统的发展提供革命性的新工具。 除了它的研究成果，它有望成为一个很好的工具，在本科和研究生水平的教学学生。 研究结果将通过课堂教学和讲习班传播。

Objective:The objective of this effort is to investigate a hybrid bacteria-microsystem in which two-way communication between the cells and a chemical interface chip enables two-dimensional patterns of gene expression. The investigators will demonstrate a) direct activation and inactivation of gene expression on the chip and b) a genetic Turing reaction-diffusion system driven by the microchip.Intellectual Merit: In this work, initially identical cells will be grown on a solid, two dimensional layer of nutrient, supported by, and in contact with, a microfluidic system designed to control pH or other environmental parameters. The microsystem will perturb the environment of selected cells or subpopulations under precise programmable control to enable local changes in gene expression. Growth and production of desired compounds in individuals or small sub-populations will be monitored independently from an optical device positioned above the active substrate. The technique will enable the fabrication of a new class of organic constructs built from co-operating cell populations in a manner analogous to differentiation schemes in developmental biology. Chemical microsystems are a fundamental component of this vision, as they will allow for the control and patterning of such multi-cellular synthetic systems. Micro-interfaces of this kind will open the door to a revolution in the biofabrication of microsystem-addressable multi-cellular systems.Broader Impact: This project has very high interdisciplinary scope. For synthetic biologists and microsystems engineers, these chemical interfaces would be providing revolutionary new tools in their ability to control the development of their synthetic systems. In addition to its research outcome, it promises to be a good vehicle for teaching students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The research results will be disseminated through classroom instruction and workshops.