Nanyang Technological University

Mui Hua Tan

Matthew Wook Chang

Tat Ming Samuel Lo

Elvin Koh

In Young Hwang

The present invention relates to an expression system or a recombinant cell comprising one or more nucleic acid constructs, wherein the one or more nucleic acid constructs comprise: (i) a first gene encoding for one or more protein(s) that activate a quorum sensing system; and (ii) a second gene encoding for one or more lytic protein(s) capable of forming a lesion in a host cell's membrane; wherein the first gene is under control of a first promoter and the second gene is under control of a second promoter, wherein the first promoter controlling the first gene is a carbon starvation-induced promoter and the second promoter is a quorum sensing system promoter induced by the quorum sensing system activated by one or more protein(s) encoded by the first gene as well as recombinant cells hosting such an expression system. Further encompassed is the use of the expression systems and cells of the invention for the expression of gene products of interest and the respective methods of use.

Programmable synthetic lysis system for controlled release of macromolecules

The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising (a) a first nucleotide sequence encoding a protein that detects the presence, amount or both of a pathogenic microorganism by forming a complex with a quorum sensing molecule produced by said pathogenic microorganism, (b) one or more second nucleotide sequence said one or more second nucleotide sequence being under control of a promoter that is induced by the complex of the protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence and the quorum sensing molecule produced by said pathogenic microorganism and encoding (i) an antimicrobial peptide, wherein the antimicrobial peptide is effective against the pathogenic microorganism detected by the protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence; and/or an antibiofilm enzyme wherein the antibiofilm enzyme is effective against the pathogenic microorganism detected by the protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence; and (c) optionally a third nucleotide sequence encoding a protein that controls the motility of the host organism, wherein the protein that controls the motility of the host organism directs the motility of the host organism towards said pathogenic microorganism. A recombinant microorganism comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule and a method of sensing and killing pathogenic microorganisms is also described.

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Singapore, Singapore

Mui Hua Tan