Start Date
10-3-2017 2:00 PM
End Date
10-3-2017 3:30 PM
Abstract Text
Measuring pH is one of the most commonly used techniques in both the laboratory as well as the field due to its importance in a multitude of biochemical processes. Traditional methods of measuring pH may be highly developed in accuracy and precision but often involve disruption of the environment. Biological markers offer an alternative that allows for long-term pH monitoring. This innovative approach allows for vast applications such as in the manufacturing, food processing and research industries. Under moderate acidic conditions, the asr (acid shock RNA) gene is highly inducible and has been demonstrated to be crucial for growth at high acidities. The alx locus in E. coli contains a putative transporter preceded by a pH-induced riboregulator that operates under moderately alkaline conditions. In this study, vivid blue/purple and green/blue chromoproteins, cJBlue and amilCP respectively, were used as visual indicators. DH5α competent E. coli cells were transformed with recombinant plasmids containing either amilCP downstream the asr promoter or cjBlue downstream the alx promoter and 5’UTR, giving rise to the alx-cjBlue and asr-amilCP cell lines. Through this methodology, we were able to create strains of E. coli that expressed either a blue or blue-green chromoprotein under low or high pHs respectively.
Included in
Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition Commons, Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity Commons, Genetic Phenomena Commons, Genetic Processes Commons, Genetic Structures Commons
P33. Design and evaluation of an Escherichia coli biomarker for indication of pH
Measuring pH is one of the most commonly used techniques in both the laboratory as well as the field due to its importance in a multitude of biochemical processes. Traditional methods of measuring pH may be highly developed in accuracy and precision but often involve disruption of the environment. Biological markers offer an alternative that allows for long-term pH monitoring. This innovative approach allows for vast applications such as in the manufacturing, food processing and research industries. Under moderate acidic conditions, the asr (acid shock RNA) gene is highly inducible and has been demonstrated to be crucial for growth at high acidities. The alx locus in E. coli contains a putative transporter preceded by a pH-induced riboregulator that operates under moderately alkaline conditions. In this study, vivid blue/purple and green/blue chromoproteins, cJBlue and amilCP respectively, were used as visual indicators. DH5α competent E. coli cells were transformed with recombinant plasmids containing either amilCP downstream the asr promoter or cjBlue downstream the alx promoter and 5’UTR, giving rise to the alx-cjBlue and asr-amilCP cell lines. Through this methodology, we were able to create strains of E. coli that expressed either a blue or blue-green chromoprotein under low or high pHs respectively.