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Team:Kyoto
From 2011.igem.org
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Summary
We create new E.coli which hunt and eat insects. it is named Carnivorous E.coli. Carnivorous E.coli emits light when hungry, and insects come near it attracted by the light. Then, it secretes viscous material to catch the insects. The insects caught are solved by protease and chitinase that Carnivorous E.coli secretes also. So, Carnivorous E.coli can hunt!
Hunger
It is a burden for the E.coli to emit light. This can be reduced by using nitrogen regulatory proteins, NtrB and NtrC, which activate a certain promoter under the condition that supply of nitrogen is not enough.
Luminescence
There are many ways to attract bugs, for instance using pheromone, but it is difficult for E.coli to synthesize complex compounds like pheromone. Carnivorous E.coli emits light and attracts bugs like glowworms by using Bioluciferase from 2010 Cambridge.
Predation
Carnivorous E.coli traps insects by mucilage. Inducing gum gene family, it secretes xanthan gum.
Digestion
Digestion is accomplished by protease and chitinase. We will induce these enzymes and assay them.
