Co-evolution of small molecule responsive riboswitches

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Small molecule modulators of gene expression, which offer rapid, temporal and spatial control of gene expression, would be tremendously valuable tools in biological and biomedical sciences. Indeed there are relatively few examples of small molecule-inducible expression systems that are available for general use. In addition, the ability to control differentially the expression of multiple genes simultaneously, using distinct small molecule inhibitors or inducers, remains extremely limited. In this project we aim to engineer new regulatory systems that function in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and respond in a rapid dose-dependent fashion to a wide range of small drug-like molecules. It is envisaged that the ability to control gene expression in response to a wide range of small molecule could lead to many profound applications in pharmaceutical target validation, gene therapy, bioremediation, biosensors, and plant biotechnology.