Dresden 2017 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 33: Posters - Systems Biology & Gene Expression and Signalling

BP 33.4: Poster

Tuesday, March 21, 2017, 14:00–16:00, P2-OG1

Communication between bacteria and cell-free expression systems within linear chains of emulsion droplets — •Matthaeus Schwarz-Schilling, Lukas Aufinger, Andrea Mückl, and Friedrich C. Simmel — Technical University of Munich, Physics Department E14 and ZNN/WSI, Am Coulombwall 4a, 85748 Garching, Germany.

Position-dependent gene expression in gradients of morphogens is one of the key processes involved in cellular differentiation during development. Here, we study a simple artificial differentiation process, which is based on the diffusion of genetic inducers within one-dimensional arrangements of 50 micrometre large water-in-oil droplets. The droplets are filled with either bacteria or a cell-free gene expression system, both equipped with genetic constructs that produce inducers or respond to them via expression of a fluorescent protein. We quantitatively study the coupled diffusion-gene expression process in gradients of inducers and demonstrate that gene expression can be made position-dependent. The confinement of genetic inducers to diffuse in only one dimension enables strong coupling between neighbouring droplets. Thus, by generating diffusing quorum-sensing signals in situ, we also establish communication between artificial cell-free sender cells and bacterial receivers, and vice versa.