Easurements of gene expression with direct electrical output using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is a bacterium with a broad respiratory capacity that allows it to reduce various electron acceptors, from oxygen to metal oxides and electrodes. This has diverse technological applications such as Microbial Fuel Cells, where electricity is generated using bacteria as a catalyst. In this project, we wish to take advantage of the electrical current generation capacity of Shewanella to create a genetic expression measurement system with electrical output that does not need fluorescence and gives fast and simple readings. For that purpose, we will modify Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 in a way that it regulates the amount of electrons given to an electrode (electric current) depending on the intensity with which the gene of interest is expressed.

Juliana Sandoval