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From 2010.igem.org

Project abstract

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E-Lemming

ETHZ Basel project goal is to control E. coli movements (chemotaxis) by means of light. In fact, we will change the chemotaxis 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 removed just by pressing a light switch and, as a consequence, a bacterium can be "driven" to a precise, pre-fixed point. Tumbling / directed flagellar movement rates are supervised by image processing algorithms, which are linked to the light-pulse generator. This system enables to control single E.coli cells to move like mindless "Lemmings" in the direction they are forced to go.

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