Team:ETHZ Basel
From 2010.igem.org
E. lemming
ETHZ Basel project goal is to control E. coli movements (chemotaxis) by means of light. In fact, we will alter the chemotaxic pathway either by substituting the receptor with a light-sensitive one or by interfering with the kinase-phosphatase process with proteins whose binding and unbinding can be stimulated by pulses of light. In both ways, E. coli tumbling is induced or supressed simply by pressing a light switch! As a consequence, the bacterium can be "driven" to a precise, pre-fixed location. Tumbling / directed flagellar movement rates are monitored by a digital controller, which is combined with image processing algorithms. This system enables control of single E. coli cells to move like mindless "Lemmings" in the direction they are forced to go.