LED control of gene expression in a nanobiosystem composed of metallic nanoparticles and a genetically modified E. coli strain.

BACKGROUND: Within the last decade, genetic engineering and synthetic biology have revolutionized society´s ability to mass-produce complex biological products within genetically-modified microorganisms containing elegantly designed genetic circuitry. However, many challenges still exist in developing bioproduction processes involving genetically modified microorganisms with complex or multiple gene circuits. These challenges include the development of external gene expression regulation methods with the following characteristics: spatial-temporal control and scalability, while inducing minimal permanent or irreversible system-wide conditions. Different stimuli have been used to control gene expression and mitigate these challenges, and they can be characterized by the effect they produce in the culture media conditions. Invasive stimuli that cause permanent, irreversible changes (pH and chemical inducers), non-invasive stimuli that cause partially reversible changes (temperature), and non-invasive stimuli that cause reversible changes in the media conditions (ultrasound, magnetic fields, and light). METHODS: Opto-control of gene expression is a non-invasive external trigger that complies with most of the desired characteristics of an external control system. However, the disadvantage relies on the design of the biological photoreceptors and the necessity to design them to respond to a different wavelength for every bioprocess needed to be controlled or regulated in the microorganism. Therefore, this work proposes using biocompatible metallic nanoparticles as external controllers of gene expression, based on their ability to convert light into heat and the capacity of nanotechnology to easily design a wide array of nanostructures capable of absorbing light at different wavelengths and inducing plasmonic photothermal heating. RESULTS: Here, we designed a nanobiosystem that can be opto-thermally triggered using LED light. The nanobiosystem is composed of biocompatible gold nanoparticles and a genetically modified E. coli with a plasmid that allows mCherry fluorescent protein production at 37 °C in response to an RNA thermometer. CONCLUSIONS: The LED-triggered photothermal protein production system here designed offers a new, cheaper, scalable switchable method, non-destructive for living organisms, and contribute toward the evolution of bioprocess production systems.

Determination of incompatibility group plasmids and copy number of the bla NDM-1 gene in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains recovered from different hospitals in Kerman, Iran.

Introduction. New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a serious global health concern.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Due to the high genetic diversity among NDM-positive K. pneumoniae, we need further surveillance and studies to better understand the relationships between them. In addition, the coexistence of several plasmid replicon types in NDM-positive K. pneumoniae may affect the copy number of bla NDM, the MIC level to antibiotics, as well as increasing the chance of horizontal gene transfer.Aim. The aim of this study was to determine incompatible plasmid groups and copy numbers of bla NDM, and to investigate the genetic relationship of 37 NDM-positive K. pneumoniae in Kerman, Iran.Methodology. The bla NDM-1 gene was detected and confirmed by PCR-sequencing. The plasmid replicon types were determined by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT) and the copy number of bla NDM-1 was determined by quantitaive real time-PCR (qPCR). Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR typing was used to detect genetic relationships between the strains.Results. In this study, 10 different replicon types, including Frep [n=25 (67.5 %)], FIIAs [n=11 (29.7 %)], FIA [n=5 (13.5 %)], FIB [n=3 (8.1 %)], I1-Iγ [n=2 (5.4 %)], L/M [n=7 (18.9 %)], A/C [n=7 (18.9 %)], Y [n=3 (8.1 %)], P [n=1 (2.7 %)] and FIC [n=1 (2.7 %)] were reported. The copy numbers of the bla NDM-1 gene varied from 30.00 to 5.0×106 and no statistically significant correlation was observed between a rise of the MIC to imipenem and the copy numbers of bla NDM-1 (P>0.05). According to RAPD typing results, 35 strains were divided into five clusters, while two strains were non-typeable.Conclusion. The spread of NDM-1-producing K. pneumoniae strains that carry several plasmid replicon types increases the chance of horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in hospital settings. In this study, 10 different replicon types were identified. We could not find any relationship between the increase of MIC levels to imipenem and the copy numbers of bla NDM-1. Therefore, due to the identification of different replicon types in this study, the type and genetic characteristics of bla NDM-1-carrying plasmids, and other factors such as antibiotic selective pressure, probably affect the copy number of bla NDM-1 and change the MIC level to imipenem.