IGEM:MIT/2005/Receiver 1: ToxR

Receiver Device #1 -- ToxR

POC

Will

Function

To dimerize in the presence of the input signal and cause gene expression to turn on.

Device Depiction

Information path ...

1. Flouroscin introduced to system (as Flouroscin+DNAspacer+flouroscin), travels into periplasm.
2. Flouroscin binds to adjacent ToxR'-scFv fusions.
   1. Causes ToxR' dimerization
3. GFP expressed @ CTX_promoter
   1. As a function of ToxR dimerization

People path ...

1. Maxine gives us flouroscin, or identifies something else
2. Jenny's scFv binds to Maxine's antigen
3. Then, Jenny's scFv induces ToxR' to dimerize
4. The dimerization leads to the expression of Jessica's output @ CTXpromoter or another promoter of her choice.
5. Ray makes the whole system look like "we meant to do that."

Current Status

In theory this should work (but we need to get the signal into the periplasm)

1. All parts specified
2. But, no parts are ready for synthesis

Open Issues/Questions

1. Can we get the signal in the periplasm?
2. Or, can we adapt or extend the ToxR receiver device so that it accept a signal at the outer membrane.
3. Need to design the ToxR/scFv fusion?

1. The ToxR sensing system must transition from "concept that ought to work" to "detailed enough plan to actually work." This means cleaning the sequences on parts.mit and finding precedent and/or supreme knowledge on how to squeeze out parts with all of the necassary links to interact well.
2. We must first know how to build and then build the ToxR system.
3. We must design the experiments and then experiment on the ToxR system

Need Help With

1. Going from DNA sequence information, to actual physical genetic material that works inside living cells.