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Team:ETHZ Basel/Introduction/Motivation
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We control the movement of a single E. coli cell by light. In wild type E. coli flagella movement is controlled by proteins of the chemotaxis pathway, so called Che proteins. In our engineered cells one of these Che proteins is fused to a synthetic light-sensitive localization system. Two external inputs - red light and far red light - induce the relocation of the fused proteins, thus reversibly changing flagella movement direction. Cells, imaged by bright field microscopy, are automatically detected and tracked while a closed loop controller guides the cell into a user defined direction by autonomously sending light inputs. This makes our engineered cell the smallest remote controllable living robot on earth. | We control the movement of a single E. coli cell by light. In wild type E. coli flagella movement is controlled by proteins of the chemotaxis pathway, so called Che proteins. In our engineered cells one of these Che proteins is fused to a synthetic light-sensitive localization system. Two external inputs - red light and far red light - induce the relocation of the fused proteins, thus reversibly changing flagella movement direction. Cells, imaged by bright field microscopy, are automatically detected and tracked while a closed loop controller guides the cell into a user defined direction by autonomously sending light inputs. This makes our engineered cell the smallest remote controllable living robot on earth. | ||
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Revision as of 11:00, 23 October 2010
Why E.lemming?
Lemmings are nice, tiny rodents, leading a happy and fulfilling life in the cold Arctic regions [1]. Living is very good and easy, so the lemmings reproduce and their population keeps increasing, until it becomes unfeasibly large. This increase in population is followed by a sudden dramatic decrease, for which no biological explanation has so far been provided [2]. However, the mythical explanation exists and it says that, from times to times, the lemmings suffer a panic attack, pushing them to what is legendary known as 'the mass suicide' of the lemmings [3]. According to the legend, during these difficult periods, lemmings can be seen chaotically swimming in the turbulent, cold and dangerous Norwegian rivers and, most of the times, they won't make it to the other shore.
The lemming story has been propagated mainly through one of the most popular computer games of all times: 'Lemmings' [4], in which the player has to control the lemmings and lead them to a predefined exit, while traveling on challenging routes. The goal of the game is to save as many lemmings as possible and prevent them from committing mass suicide. Inspired by the concept behind the Lemmings game, we used undercover E. colis to design our own virtual lemmings, which we therefore named E. lemmings.
ETH's E. lemming is even more fun than the virtual Lemmings you were used to. Not only it is alive, but it can also be created in any biology lab working with E. coli. All you need to do is use the joystick and define any direction and the tiny E. lemming will mindlessly travel towards your desired destination.
Project Idea
We control the movement of a single E. coli cell by light. In wild type E. coli flagella movement is controlled by proteins of the chemotaxis pathway, so called Che proteins. In our engineered cells one of these Che proteins is fused to a synthetic light-sensitive localization system. Two external inputs - red light and far red light - induce the relocation of the fused proteins, thus reversibly changing flagella movement direction. Cells, imaged by bright field microscopy, are automatically detected and tracked while a closed loop controller guides the cell into a user defined direction by autonomously sending light inputs. This makes our engineered cell the smallest remote controllable living robot on earth.
References
[1] Stenseth, N.C. & Ims, R.A. (eds.). 1993. The biology of lemmings. Academic Press, London
