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

马萨诸塞大学的Robert Weis教授正在利用大肠杆菌中负责趋化的细菌信号蛋白设计一种新的传感器。这个想法是制造一种独立的组合受体-酶放大器，它可以特异性地结合选择的小分子，并通过调节相关酶的活性，放大信号以表明分子的存在。在这些所谓的“化学检测模块”的设计中，另一个令人满意的方面是它们能够自组装，用于大型阵列。这个项目的目标是设计大肠杆菌氧趋向性受体。功是1。使用位点定向诱变改变受体的结合特异性。通过设计一种作为自组装模板的蛋白质附着物进行自组装。两名研究生将参与这项生物启发传感的工作。该奖项由美国国家科学基金会和情报界共同支持。数学和物理科学理事会的反恐方法项目支持基础研究和劳动力发展方面的新概念，这些新概念有可能为国家安全做出贡献。

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.