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Project properties |
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| Title | Real-time monitoring of metabolites in E. coli using TF-based biosensors |
| Group | Systems and Synthetic Biology |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 36 |
| Supervisor(s) | Zihan Gao, Dr. Pieter Candry |
| Examiner(s) | Dr. Pieter Candry |
| Contact info | robert1.smith@wur.nl |
| Begin date | 2025/09/01 |
| End date | |
| Description | Real-time monitoring of intracellular metabolites is crucial for understanding and optimizing metabolic processes in E. coli. Transcription factor (TF)-based biosensors, which utilize specific TFs to detect metabolite concentrations, offer a powerful tool for monitoring [1]. They have been widely applied in the detection of target natural products and dynamic regulation of biosynthetic pathways [2].
The goal of this research is to design and validate TF-based biosensors for detecting key metabolites in E. coli. These biosensors will be coupled to fluorescent or other reporters, enabling real-time tracking of metabolic changes. Additionally, the Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle offers a systematic framework that can significantly enhance the performance of biosensors, which has been widely used in manufacturing, metabolic engineering, and entrepreneurship to increase the efficacy and generalizability of biosensors [3]. The MS student will use DBTL cycle(s) to optimize the sensor’s performance towards real application. The results of this project will translate the intracellular concentration of key metabolites into a readable signal and forge a connection between the Design and Learn phases. References 1. Rogers, J. K., Guzman, C. D., Taylor, N. D., Raman, S., Anderson, K., & Church, G. M. (2015). Synthetic biosensors for precise gene control and real-time monitoring of metabolites. Nucleic acids research, 43(15), 7648–7660. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkv616. 2. Lu, M., Sha, Y., Kumar, V., Xu, Z., Zhai, R., & Jin, M. (2024). Transcription factor-based biosensor: A molecular-guided approach for advanced biofuel synthesis. Biotechnology advances, 72, 108339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108339. 3. Chaisupa, P., & Wright, R. C. (2024). State-of-the-art in engineering small molecule biosensors and their applications in metabolic engineering. SLAS technology, 29(2), 100113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.slast.2023.10.005 |
| Used skills | 1) Mastering molecular cloning techniques, including DNA extraction, PCR, plasmid construction and so on.
2) Practical experience with biosensor development and synthetic biology workflows. |
| Requirements | 1) Prefer completed basic molecular microbiology & physiology course. 2) Basic lab skills. |