Overview

Small RNA

In our project we dig into the fascinating world of small RNA (sRNA) regulation with the aim of engeneering a so-called trap sRNA regulating module and hereby creating a universal tool for a whole new way of regulating gene expression in synthetic biology. To fully understand our project, at basic knowledge of sRNAs, the way they regulate gene expression, the players involved (the RNA chaperone Hfq) and the unique features of the regulation is required. So continue reading if these words are new to you.

The chitobiose system

The project is inspired by the regulation of chitobiose uptake and metabolism in E. coli. Especially the following three players, which have been indentified independently in several organisms and thus goes by many names...

1. The mRNA for a chitoporin that transports chitosugars into cells, called chiP (alias ybfM)

2. A sRNA which regulates the chitoporin post-transcriptionally, called chiX (alias sroB, micM)

3. A trap-sRNA which is transcribed from intergenic region in the chitobiose operon

(chbBCARG), which we named chiXR for chiX regulator.

Synthetic biology

Synthetic biology is a scientific field concerning the design of new biological functions. The way humans do design is fundamentally different than the evolutionary principles from which life origins. Life has evolved due to an incredible long series of trial-and-error driven and governed by selectional pressure. As this approach have led to an enormous variety of solutions to ways of being alive on earth, from the most sophisticated machine known to mankind, the human brain, to the most resilient microorganisms, there is no doubt to the success of evolution.