Microfluidic device development for the study of bacterial thermotaxis

用于研究细菌趋热性的微流体装置开发

• 批准号: 389772-2010
• 负责人: Ryu, William
• 金额: $ 2.33万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2009-01-01 至 2010-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=443012
• 关键词: Microfluidic; device; development; study; bacterial

The aim of this research is to develop a deeper understanding of the network of proteins that allows bacteria to perform chemotaxis and thermotaxis, that is to sense and swim towards food or a preferred temperature, respectively. We propose to develop such an understanding through closely coupled experimental approaches and computational modeling. As all signaling pathways within living cells must function in the context of fluctuating thermal environments, our efforts may reveal universal mechanisms by which cells ensure faithful signaling. From a human health perspective, chemotaxis by bacterial pathogens has been implicated in infectivity and maintenance of disease, and thermotaxis may be implicated as well. Since the chemotaxis/thermotaxis network is widespread and well conserved among bacteria, but is not shared by humans, the pathway presents a potential target for the development of future antibiotics. In addition, as all signaling pathways within living cells must function in the context of fluctuating thermal environments, our efforts may reveal universal mechanisms by which cells ensure faithful signaling. This Research Tool and Instrument Grant (RTI) will allow us to develop microfluidic devices to quickly quantify the output of the thermal sensory network. Development of these devices may lead to diagnostic instruments with impact on human health and disease.

这项研究的目的是加深对蛋白质网络的理解，该网络允许细菌进行趋化性和趋热性，即分别感觉和游向食物或首选温度。我们建议通过紧密耦合的实验方法和计算模型来发展这种理解。由于活细胞内的所有信号通路都必须在波动的热环境中发挥作用，我们的努力可能会揭示细胞确保忠实信号的普遍机制。从人类健康的角度来看，细菌病原体的趋化性与疾病的传染性和维持性有关，也可能与热趋性有关。由于趋化/趋热网络在细菌中广泛存在且保守，但在人类中并不共享，该途径为未来抗生素的开发提供了一个潜在的靶点。此外，由于活细胞内的所有信号通路都必须在波动的热环境中发挥作用，我们的努力可能会揭示细胞确保忠实信号的普遍机制。这项研究工具和仪器拨款(RTI)将使我们能够开发微流控设备，以快速量化热感觉网络的输出。这些设备的开发可能会导致对人类健康和疾病产生影响的诊断仪器。