BIOL-UA 11 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Korem, Microfluidics, Biosensor
Document Summary
Focus of the research: an engineered gene network with global intercellular coupling that is capable of generating synchronized oscillations in a growing population of cells. Using microfluidic devices tailored for cellular populations at differing length scales, the experiment investigates the collective synchronization properties along with spatiotemporal waves occuring at millimetre scales. Experiment uses computational modelling to describe qualitatively the observed dependence of the period and amplitude of the bulk oscillations on the flow rate. Creation of a synchronized genetic clock sets the stage for the use of microbes in the creation of a macroscopic biosensor with an osciallitory output. The synchronized genetic clock also provides a specific model system for the generation of a mechanistic description of emergent coordinated behavior at the colony level. Images were acquired using an epiflourescent inverted microscope (te2000-u, nikion. Synchronized clocks are important in the coordination of rhythmic behavior among individual elements in a community or a large complex system.
