A nucleic acid-based bacterial message export system for cell-to-cell communication
Name
994206935-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
9.46 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
a6257bda987f15456c5893c4d92ded58
Author(s)
Nip, Lisa
Advisor(s)
Joseph M. Jacobson.
Date Issued
2016
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Communication within natural systems of eukaryotes and prokaryotes typically entails message transmission between and among cells via small-molecule messengers being funneled from the sender to the receiver cell. Nucleic acids are rarely used as extracellular messengers due to their labile nature and proclivity for enzymatic digestion. Eliminating these obstacles will allow for a larger array of messages to be sent with minimal cellular machinery. Exploiting the bacterial twin-arginine translocation (TAT) pathway and a nucleic-acid binding protein sourced from bacteriophage MS2, we have engineered a message-sending system in Escherichia coli capable of specifically exporting a "pre-written" circularized RNA message to the extracellular environment. This RNA message maintains its integrity over the course of at least four hours in extracellular growth medium, and this system serves as the first demonstration of versatile, stable messaging with nucleic acids, specifically with RNA, in the extracellular environment.
Description
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2016.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 36-38).
Subjects
Program in Media Arts and Sciences ()
MIT Department
Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
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