Team:Cambridge/Bioluminescence/Firefly Modelling

We modelled the Luciferin cycle as described in the literature We used data from S. Inouye's review and the paper on firefly luciferase inhibition from J.M Leitão et al.

We used the Matlab Simbiology toolbox to model the cycle. A diagram of the model we developed can be found below:

Some of the parameters could be found in the litterature, but some of the parameters (namely the diffusion of Luciferin into the cell and the regeneration rate were inferred from experimental data.)

We modelled the system both with and without the effect of the Luciferase Regenerating Enzyme (LRE.) The 4 Figures below show a comparison the model and our data for both cases.

Figure 1 - Model of the light output as a function of time without the effect of the LRE.

Figure 2 - Light output as a function of time for P.Pyralis luciferase under pBad promoter. Arabinose concentration is 10mM and D-Luciferin concentration is 100µM

Figure 3 - Model of the light output as a function of time with the effect of the LRE.

Figure 4 - Light output as a function of time for L. Cruciata luciferase with LRE under pBad promoter. Arabinose concentration is 100 µM and D-Luciferin concentration is 1µM