Team:ETHZ Basel

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E. lemming

Figure 1. Setup to control E. coli movements. An automatized microscope images the E. lemming. A connected computer system detects and tracks the cells. The direction of movement of the E. lemming is compared to the desired direction defined by the user, e.g. with a joystick. If the direction of movement deviates too much from the desired direction, the digital controller induces tumbling by sending a red light pulse. Otherwise, tumbling is repressed by sending a far-red light pulse.

The core idea of our project is to control the movement (chemotaxis) of E. coli- by means of light! In fact, we will alter the chemotactic pathway either by substituting the receptor with a light-sensitive one or by interference with the kinase-phosphatase process. We will realize this with the help of proteins whose association and dissociation can be stimulated by pulses of light waves. 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: We'll make them move like mindless "Lemmings" in the direction they are forced to go!