Team:Osaka/Tests

Tests

Cellulase assay: CMC clearing

We constructed K392039 and K392041 as tests constructs, containing the E. coli PelB secretion tag and C. fermi endoglucanase CenA or exoglucanase Cex, respectively. These constructs tested for cellulose degradation activity by carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) clearing, whereupon transformed bacteria are spotted onto agar plates infused with CMC. Degradation of CMC results in a pale-colored halo appearing around the spotted colony.

CenA constructs. Clockwise from left: CenA only; CenA with PelB; negative control.	Cex constructs. Clockwise from top: Cex with PelB; Cex only; negative control.

From the results it appears that spots corresponding to secretion-tagged cellulase parts are brighter than non-tagged, suggesting higher CMC-clearing (ie. extracellular cellulose degradation).

Microscope observation of cell surface display

Cellulase quantitative activity assay: DNS method

Future work

We created many parts (yeast ENO2 promoter, ADH1 terminator, SUC2 secretion signal etc as well as various cellulases such as xylanase and mannase) but did not have time to evaluate them. Also, devices containing 2 or more cellulases should have been constructed and assayed.