Imperial/Infector Detector/Modelling

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     <li><a href="https://2007.igem.org/Imperial/Infector_Detector/Implementation" title=""><span>Implementation</span></a></li>
     <li><a href="https://2007.igem.org/Imperial/Infector_Detector/Implementation" title=""><span>Implementation</span></a></li>
     <li><a href="https://2007.igem.org/Imperial/Infector_Detector/Testing" title=""><span>Testing</span></a></li>
     <li><a href="https://2007.igem.org/Imperial/Infector_Detector/Testing" title=""><span>Testing</span></a></li>
 +
    <li><a href="https://2007.igem.org/Imperial/Infector_Detector/F2620 Comparison" title=""><span>F2620</span></a></li>
     <li><a href="https://2007.igem.org/Imperial/Infector_Detector/Conclusion" title=""><span>Conclusion</span></a></li>
     <li><a href="https://2007.igem.org/Imperial/Infector_Detector/Conclusion" title=""><span>Conclusion</span></a></li>
   </ul>
   </ul>
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= Infector Detector: Modelling =
= Infector Detector: Modelling =
-
==Abstract==
+
==Introduction==
-
Infector Detector (ID) is a simple biological detector, which serves to expose bacterial biofilm. It functions by exploiting the inherent AHL (Acetyl Homoserine Lactone) production employed by certain types of quorum-sensing bacteria, in the formation of such structures.<br>
+
Infector Detector (ID) is a simple biological detector designed to expose the presence of a bacterial biofilm. It functions by exploiting the inherent AHL (Acetyl Homoserine Lactone) production employed by certain types of quorum-sensing bacteria, in the formation of such structures. The [[Imperial/Infector_Detector/Design| design]] phase of our project has yielded two possible system constructs.
-
This section presents a preliminary model for an AHL detector, which employs the backbone of the Lux quorum-sensing feedback mechanism. Figures 1 and 2 [[#Implementation & Reaction Network | below]] illustrate the full system we are investigating.
+
-
 
+
-
In the [https://2007.igem.org/Imperial/Infector_Detector/Design design] phase, two possible system constructs were proposed, as a solution to the problem of detecting AHL-producing biofilm.<br>
+
-
According to our specifications, the most crucial feature of this system is the sensitivity to a minimum [AHL] of 5nm. In other words, we need to identify the minimal AHL concentration for appreciable expression of a chosen reporter protein. <br>
+
-
Furthermore, we attempt to define a functional range for possible AHL detection. How does increased AHL concentration impact on the maximal output of reporter protein?<br>
+
-
Finally, we investigate how the system performance can be tailored, by exploiting possible inputs to the system (e.g. varying initial LuxR concentration and/or concentration of pLux promoters).
+
-
In performing such customizations, the question arises: what is the impact upon the maximal output of fluorescent reporter protein and/or response time?
+
-
 
+
-
We attempt to answer such questions  by establishing a representative model, and consequently, conducting a simulation of the system ''in-silico''.
+
==Implementation & Reaction Network==
==Implementation & Reaction Network==
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It is evident that AHL is an input to both constructs; a function of the particular biofilm. Furthermore, energy and promoter concentration are included as auxillary inputs to both system constructs. LuxR, is an additional input, exclusive to construct 2, which lacks constitutive expression of LuxR by pTET.<br>
It is evident that AHL is an input to both constructs; a function of the particular biofilm. Furthermore, energy and promoter concentration are included as auxillary inputs to both system constructs. LuxR, is an additional input, exclusive to construct 2, which lacks constitutive expression of LuxR by pTET.<br>
(this of course occuring within our cell-free chassis)
(this of course occuring within our cell-free chassis)
-
 
+
{|-
-
[[Image: BB c1.png|thumb|left|440px|'''Figure 1''': Black-box for Construct 1]]
+
|[[Image: BB c1.png|thumb|440px|'''Figure 1''': Black-box for Construct 1]]||[[Image: BB c2.png|thumb|440px|'''Figure 2''': Black-box for Construct 2]]
-
[[Image: BB c2.png|thumb|right|440px|'''Figure 2''': Black-box for Construct 2]]
+
|}
====''The Reaction Network''====
====''The Reaction Network''====
-
AHL is assumed to diffuse freely "into" the system (we are dealing with cell-free system, which comes into direct contact with the biofilm). The target AHL molecules, produced by the biofilm,  equilibrate between the two systems - the detector and the target. Once equilibrium of AHL is reached, AHL binds with the monomeric protein LuxR, which is either constitutively produced by construct 1, or directly introduced in purified form, as part of the solution which is construct 2.
+
Both designs are based on the following reaction network:
-
The binding of these two proteins yieds the product A, the intermediating LuxR-AHL complex, which is assumed to be immediately transcriptionally competent. The reactions here are considered as reversible (forward and backward reactions of this step governed by the kinetic constants k<sub>2</sub> and k<sub>3</sub> respectively).
+
-
The formed transcription factor activates the transcription of the pLux operon, which codes for the relevant reporter protein, presented here as GFP. Activation occurs by way of the reversible binding of this transcription factor, A, to the response sequences in the operon (k<sub>4</sub> and k<sub>5</sub>) . This leads to recruitment of RNA polymerase and increases the frequency of transcription initiation (Fuqua et al., 2001) of the construct gfp gene (strictly forward reaction, governed by k<sub>6</sub>). 
+
-
[[Image: IC07 c1.png|thumb|left|440px|'''Figure 3''': Reaction network for Construct 1 (Energy-dependent)]]
+
*AHL is assumed to diffuse freely "into" the system (we are dealing with a cell-free system, which comes into direct contact with the biofilm). 
-
[[Image: IC07 C2.png|thumb|right|440px|'''Figure 4''': Reaction network for Construct 2 (Energy-dependent)]]  
+
*The target AHL molecule binds with the monomeric protein LuxR.
 +
*LuxR is either constitutively produced by construct 1, or directly introduced in purified form, as part of construct 2.
 +
*The binding of these two proteins yields the intermediating LuxR-AHL complex, A. We call k<sub>2</sub> and k<sub>3</sub> the kinetic constants of the forward and backward reactions respectively.
 +
*The formed transcription factor activates the transcription of the pLux operon, which codes for the relevant reporter protein, GFP. Activation occurs by way of the reversible binding of this transcription factor, A, to the response sequences in the operon (k<sub>4</sub> and k<sub>5</sub>)
 +
*This leads to recruitment of RNA polymerase and increases the frequency of transcription initiation (Fuqua et al., 2001) of the construct gfp gene (strictly forward reaction, governed by k<sub>6</sub>).
 +
 
 +
{|-
 +
|[[Image: IC07 Const1.png|thumb|440px|'''Figure 3''': Reaction network for Construct 1 (Energy-dependent)]] || [[Image: IC07 C2.png|thumb|440px|'''Figure 4''': Reaction network for Construct 2 (Energy-dependent)]]  
 +
|}
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In developing this model, we were interested in the behaviour at steady-state, that is when the system has equilibrated and the concentrations of the state variables remain constant.
In developing this model, we were interested in the behaviour at steady-state, that is when the system has equilibrated and the concentrations of the state variables remain constant.
-
At reasonably high molecular concentrations of the state variables, a continuous model can be adopted, which is represented by a system of ordinary differential equations.
+
'''A Resource-Dependent Model'''
-
It is for this reason that our approach to modelling the system follows a deterministic, continuous approximation.  
+
To simulate the behaviour of both constructs we have developed an ordinary differential equations (ODE) system that describes the evolution with time of the concentrations of the molecules involved in the reaction network.  <br>
 +
At reasonably high molecular concentrations of the state variables, such a model can be adopted instead of the more accurate stochastic model without any risk of major error.  The advantages of the ODE approach in term of complexity and computing time/power are non negligible.
 +
<br>Our model depends not only on the reaction network described above but also on the following considerations:
 +
<br>
 +
*The only difference is with regards to the parameter k<sub>1</sub>, the maximum transcription rate of the constitutive promoter (pTET). Therefore in construct 1, k<sub>1</sub> is non-zero; k<sub>1</sub> = 0 for construct 2 (which lacks pTET).
 +
*The chassis analysis conducted in the cell-free section (wiki link) has shown that some resource – dependent term had to be introduced to curb the synthesis of protein in a cell-free system. We retained the same curbing function as with the chassis characterisation.
 +
*In theory the cost of the synthesis of a protein is proportional to the length of the coding region. Since GFP and LuxR have coding regions of roughly same lengths (800-900 base pairs)  we assume an equal cost for both proteins.
 +
*We assume no cooperativity in any of the bindings.  
-
We can condition the system in various manners, but for the purposes of our project, we will seek a formulation which is valid for both constructs considered, i.e. the governing equations are a represenation of both constructs.
+
'''The Equations'''
-
The only difference is with regards to the parameter k<sub>1</sub>, the maximum transcription rate of the constitutive promoter (pTET). Therefore in construct 1, k<sub>1</sub> is non-zero; k<sub>1</sub> = 0 for construct 2 (which lacks pTET).
+
[[Image:IC07 Model2.png|thumb|center|600px|'''Model 2''', an energy-dependent network, where the dependence on energy assumes Hill-like dynamics]]
 +
<br clear="all">
-
Our analysis took us through a number of models, but presented here is the most pertinent, most representative version. This model is based on energy-dependence (limited nutrient supply), which follows Hill-like dynamics.
+
where [E] represents the [nutrient] or ["energy"] within the system. The energy dependence is assumed to follow Hill-like Dynamics.  
-
The system kinetics are determined by the following coupled-ODEs. For a derivation of the governing equations,  please access
 
-
 
-
[[Image:IC07 Model2.png|thumb|center|600px|Model 2, an energy-dependent network, where the dependence on energy assumes Hill-like dynamics]]
 
-
<br clear="all">
 
 +
The parameters of our model are described in the table below
====''Model Parameters''====
====''Model Parameters''====
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|-
|-
|k<sub>6</sub>
|k<sub>6</sub>
-
|Transcription of FP
+
|Transcription of GFP - k<sub>6</sub> proportional to amount of DNA in solution
|-
|-
|<font color = blue>''Degradation <br> Rates'' </font>
|<font color = blue>''Degradation <br> Rates'' </font>
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|-
|-
|&delta;<sub>LuxR</sub>
|&delta;<sub>LuxR</sub>
-
|Degradation rate of LuxR
+
|Degradation rate of LuxR<br>
 +
&delta;<sub>LuxR</sub>  is negligible – assumed to be zero
|-
|-
|&delta;<sub>AHL</sub>
|&delta;<sub>AHL</sub>
-
|Degradation rate of AHL
+
|Degradation rate of AHL<br>
 +
&delta;<sub>AHL</sub>  is negligible – assumed to be zero
|-
|-
|&delta;<sub>GFP</sub>
|&delta;<sub>GFP</sub>
-
|Degradation rate of GFP
+
|Degradation rate of GFP<br>
 +
&delta;<sub>GFP</sub>  is negligible – assumed to be zero
|-
|-
|<font color = blue>''Hill Co-operativity''</font>
|<font color = blue>''Hill Co-operativity''</font>
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|-
|-
|<font color = blue>''Energy consumption <br> of transcription''</font>  
|<font color = blue>''Energy consumption <br> of transcription''</font>  
-
 
|
|
|-
|-
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|&alpha;<sub>2</sub>
|&alpha;<sub>2</sub>
|Energy consumption due to transcription of ''gfp'' gene
|Energy consumption due to transcription of ''gfp'' gene
 +
|-
 +
|<font color = blue>''Initial Conditions''</font>
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|P<sub>0</sub>
 +
|Initial Concentration of Promoters <br>
 +
P<sub>0</sub> represents the amount of DNA inserted into the extract
 +
|-
 +
|LuxR<sub>0</sub>
 +
|Initial Concentration of LuxR
 +
|}
|}
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==Simulations==
==Simulations==
-
<font color=red>[[User: Jjk105| Jaroslaw]] - Should we create a separate simulations page, perhaps? These plots are essential, and was also thinking of putting some 3-d plots of transfer function for C1 and C2. Also, this would allow more freedom with sizing of the images - better clarity if greater. I really don't think these simulations need to be cramped here. </font> <br><br>
+
Presented below are the most essential results of the simulations performed on the final construct, i.e. construct 1.  
-
Presented below are the most essential results of the simulations performed.
+
-
[[Image: IC07 constructs comp.png|thumb|left|800px|'''Figure 3''': Comparison of the sensitivity, response time and maximal output of <font color=red>Construct 1</font> and <font color=blue>Construct 2</font>, , for varying initial [AHL] <br>i.e. AHL<sub>0</sub> = 0, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 100 & 1000 nM]]<br clear="all">
+
In light of the rapid equilibrium approximation which was employed in developing the model, relatively high k-values were selected: 
 +
<br>k2 = k3 = k4 = k5 = 100 (dynamical equilibrium); k1 = 0.3 (constitutive transcription by pTet); k6 = 20*k1 (transcription of ''gfp'');
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==== 1. Construct 1: [GFP] vs time - varying [AHL]<sub>0</sub>====
 +
 
 +
[[Image: C1 AHL GFP.png|thumb|left|430px|'''Figure 5''': Investigation of the effect on GFP expression by <br>'''Construct 1''', when the initial [AHL] is varied i.e. AHL<sub>0</sub> = 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 50 & 100 a.u. (arbitrary units)]]
 +
 
 +
[[Image: C1 AHL Energy.png|thumb|right|430px|'''Figure 6''': Comparison of energy consumption of '''Construct''' 1, when the initial [AHL] is varied i.e. AHL<sub>0</sub> = 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 50 & 100 a.u (arbitrary units)]]
====Discussion====
====Discussion====
-
From figure 3, it is evident that the response time of construct 1 (C1) is far greater than that of construct 2 (C2). C1 crosses some arbitrary threshold, say 6000 a.u. at approximately t = 150min, whereas C2 below 10min.  
+
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate GFP  expression and Energy depletion of construct 1, at various initial AHL concentrations.
-
This is in line with our hypothesis, as we know steady-state has been forced upon the system in the case of construct 2 - by flooding the system with purified LuxR.
+
 +
The absolute value of the peak expression is a function of the various rate constants.  Here our analysis serves to illustrate the general behaviour offered by construct 1 – a qualitative approach.
-
Secondly, the peak expression (max output) of GFP obtained for C1 is lower by approximately 50 percent. So, C2 produces a stronger output for corresponding [AHL].
+
As initial [AHL] is increased, the level of expression increases accordingly  to a point were there is negligible difference between the maximal outputs between adjacent tested cases  of [AHL]. In fact, from this figure, and for this set of parameters, it is suggestive that saturation occurs at approximately 5 a.u.; in fact, the difference in maximal GFP output between when AHL is increased several-fold is less than 10%.  
-
However, although C2 is faster and generates a greater output, its energy consumption is far more pronounced. C1 thus has a greater lifespan.  
+
-
Finally, in terms of sensitivity, construct 2 is also more sensitive to lower [AHL]; for the lowest [AHL] simulated, the peak output is 3 times greater than that of construct 1.
+
Figure 6, the energy depletion plot, serves to illustrate the effect of increased initial concentrations of AHL on consumption of energy.  More resources (promoters) need to be employed to "accommodate" the increasing [AHL]. This obviously increases the rate of energy depletion, but only until a certain point, as saturating behaviour has been attained -  promoter saturation. This is the likely explanation for the "saturation curve" obtained from the experimental data, since the protein degradation terms themselves are almost negligible.
 +
====2. Construct 1: [GFP] vs [AHL] - transfer function curve====
 +
 +
{|-
 +
| [[Image: C1 transfer 300min.png|thumb|left|430px|'''Figure 7''': Transfer function of construct 1, after t = 300 min(x-axis is log-scaled). [AHL] measured in arbitrary units]] || [[Image: C1 Transfer 1000min.png|thumb|right|430px|'''Figure 8''': Transfer function of construct 1, after t = 1000min (x-axis is log-scaled) [AHL] measured in arbitrary units]]
 +
|}
<br clear="all">
<br clear="all">
-
[[Image: Comparison transfer 50min.png|thumb|left|650px|'''Figure 4''': Comparison of constructs w.r.t their respective transfer functions, after t = 50min (x-axis is log-scaled)]]<br clear="all">
+
====Discussion====
 +
Figure 7 serves to amplify the essential claims from the previous simulation. Saturative behaviour occurs at approximately [AHL] = 5-10 arbitrary units (a.u.). The effect of increasing initial [AHL] beyond this level has negligible effect on [GFP] expression, for initially available resources. This first transfer function is taken at t=300min.  
 +
We would expect the curve to be considerably reduced at a later instance. This is due to reduced energy resources. This ties in with what is observed in figure 8, at t = 1000: significantly reduced peak expression of GFP.
-
[[Image: Comparison transfer 200min.png|thumb|left|650px|'''Figure 5''': Comparison of constructs w.r.t their respective transfer functions, after t = 200min (x-axis is log-scaled)]]<br clear="all">
+
====Construct 1 – effect of varying GFP degradation term on the dynamic behaviour====
 +
[[Image: C1 dGFP.png|thumb|left|450px|'''Figure 9''': ]]<br clear="all">
====Discussion====
====Discussion====
-
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the comparison of the transfer function of both constructs, at two time instances: t = 50min and t = 200min.
+
This simulation illustrates the effect of &delta;<sub>GFP</sub> on the expression of GFP by construct 1. At small &delta;<sub>GFP</sub>, the steady-state approach clearly can be attributed to the considerable rate of energy depletion. When the degradation terms are more significant, their effect is considerably greater than the effect of limited resources.
-
Consider figure 5, which illustrates the greater sensitivity to AHL offered by construct 2. Appreciable expression of GFP occurs at concentration of AHL at least one order of magnitude lower than in the case of construct 1.
+
If our model were not energy-dependent, then the simulation for &delta;<sub>GFP</sub> tending to zero should yield a positively sloped parabolic curve.
-
 
+
-
It can also be seen, that at saturation, the peak expression, is considerably greater - approximately 25 % greater than the max output generated by C1.
+
-
Obviously, figure 4, portrays, the far superior response time of C2 (as expected).
+
=== Conclusions ===
=== Conclusions ===
 +
 +
From the initial simulations performed, it was suggested that construct 2 was more effective than construct 1 on the basis of sensitivity, response time and maximal output of reporter. Construct 1 was superior in terms of energy-efficiency. Its life-time was far greater than that of its counterpart. Both constructs possessed significant strenghts and their further testing was warranted.
 +
 +
Experimental work was thus performed on both constructs. The notable feature of these endeavours was that construct 2 was eventually aborted due to difficulty in effectively purifying LuxR. Since our initial simulations were promising with regards to this device, it should be investigated more fully in the future.
 +
 +
Despite this occurence, the simulations for construct 1, correlate with the data presented by the experimental team, and are a fullfilment of our specifications.
 +
 +
Data Analysis now attempts to extract biologically realistic (plausible) parameters to render the model more predictive.
===Software===
===Software===

Latest revision as of 02:34, 27 October 2007




Infector Detector: Modelling

Introduction

Infector Detector (ID) is a simple biological detector designed to expose the presence of a bacterial biofilm. It functions by exploiting the inherent AHL (Acetyl Homoserine Lactone) production employed by certain types of quorum-sensing bacteria, in the formation of such structures. The design phase of our project has yielded two possible system constructs.

Implementation & Reaction Network

In line with the concept of abstraction in Synthetic Biology, the correlation of the output of the proposed system constructs to their inputs, can be visualized by the following black-box illustrations of the two cases. It is evident that AHL is an input to both constructs; a function of the particular biofilm. Furthermore, energy and promoter concentration are included as auxillary inputs to both system constructs. LuxR, is an additional input, exclusive to construct 2, which lacks constitutive expression of LuxR by pTET.
(this of course occuring within our cell-free chassis)

Figure 1: Black-box for Construct 1
Figure 2: Black-box for Construct 2

The Reaction Network

Both designs are based on the following reaction network:

  • AHL is assumed to diffuse freely "into" the system (we are dealing with a cell-free system, which comes into direct contact with the biofilm).
  • The target AHL molecule binds with the monomeric protein LuxR.
  • LuxR is either constitutively produced by construct 1, or directly introduced in purified form, as part of construct 2.
  • The binding of these two proteins yields the intermediating LuxR-AHL complex, A. We call k2 and k3 the kinetic constants of the forward and backward reactions respectively.
  • The formed transcription factor activates the transcription of the pLux operon, which codes for the relevant reporter protein, GFP. Activation occurs by way of the reversible binding of this transcription factor, A, to the response sequences in the operon (k4 and k5)
  • This leads to recruitment of RNA polymerase and increases the frequency of transcription initiation (Fuqua et al., 2001) of the construct gfp gene (strictly forward reaction, governed by k6).
Figure 3: Reaction network for Construct 1 (Energy-dependent)
Figure 4: Reaction network for Construct 2 (Energy-dependent)


Representative Model

In developing this model, we were interested in the behaviour at steady-state, that is when the system has equilibrated and the concentrations of the state variables remain constant.

A Resource-Dependent Model

To simulate the behaviour of both constructs we have developed an ordinary differential equations (ODE) system that describes the evolution with time of the concentrations of the molecules involved in the reaction network.
At reasonably high molecular concentrations of the state variables, such a model can be adopted instead of the more accurate stochastic model without any risk of major error. The advantages of the ODE approach in term of complexity and computing time/power are non negligible.
Our model depends not only on the reaction network described above but also on the following considerations:

  • The only difference is with regards to the parameter k1, the maximum transcription rate of the constitutive promoter (pTET). Therefore in construct 1, k1 is non-zero; k1 = 0 for construct 2 (which lacks pTET).
  • The chassis analysis conducted in the cell-free section (wiki link) has shown that some resource – dependent term had to be introduced to curb the synthesis of protein in a cell-free system. We retained the same curbing function as with the chassis characterisation.
  • In theory the cost of the synthesis of a protein is proportional to the length of the coding region. Since GFP and LuxR have coding regions of roughly same lengths (800-900 base pairs) we assume an equal cost for both proteins.
  • We assume no cooperativity in any of the bindings.

The Equations

Model 2, an energy-dependent network, where the dependence on energy assumes Hill-like dynamics


where [E] represents the [nutrient] or ["energy"] within the system. The energy dependence is assumed to follow Hill-like Dynamics.


The parameters of our model are described in the table below

Model Parameters

Parameter Description
Kinetic
Constants
k1 Maximal constitutive transcription of LuxR by pTET
k2 Binding between LuxR and AHL
k3 Dissociation of protein complex LuxR-AHL (A)
k4 Binding between A and pLux promoter
k5 Dissociaton of A-pLux complex
k6 Transcription of GFP - k6 proportional to amount of DNA in solution
Degradation
Rates
δLuxR Degradation rate of LuxR

δLuxR is negligible – assumed to be zero

δAHL Degradation rate of AHL

δAHL is negligible – assumed to be zero

δGFP Degradation rate of GFP

δGFP is negligible – assumed to be zero

Hill Co-operativity
n Co-operativity coefficient describing the degree
of energy dependence, which follows Hill-like dynamics
Energy consumption
of transcription
α1 Energy consumption due to constitutive transcription of LuxR
α2 Energy consumption due to transcription of gfp gene
Initial Conditions
P0 Initial Concentration of Promoters

P0 represents the amount of DNA inserted into the extract

LuxR0 Initial Concentration of LuxR


We now present the essential features of the system behaviour, simulated for a given set of parameters.

Simulations

Presented below are the most essential results of the simulations performed on the final construct, i.e. construct 1.

In light of the rapid equilibrium approximation which was employed in developing the model, relatively high k-values were selected:
k2 = k3 = k4 = k5 = 100 (dynamical equilibrium); k1 = 0.3 (constitutive transcription by pTet); k6 = 20*k1 (transcription of gfp);


1. Construct 1: [GFP] vs time - varying [AHL]0

Figure 5: Investigation of the effect on GFP expression by
Construct 1, when the initial [AHL] is varied i.e. AHL0 = 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 50 & 100 a.u. (arbitrary units)
Figure 6: Comparison of energy consumption of Construct 1, when the initial [AHL] is varied i.e. AHL0 = 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 50 & 100 a.u (arbitrary units)

Discussion

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate GFP expression and Energy depletion of construct 1, at various initial AHL concentrations.

The absolute value of the peak expression is a function of the various rate constants. Here our analysis serves to illustrate the general behaviour offered by construct 1 – a qualitative approach.

As initial [AHL] is increased, the level of expression increases accordingly to a point were there is negligible difference between the maximal outputs between adjacent tested cases of [AHL]. In fact, from this figure, and for this set of parameters, it is suggestive that saturation occurs at approximately 5 a.u.; in fact, the difference in maximal GFP output between when AHL is increased several-fold is less than 10%.

Figure 6, the energy depletion plot, serves to illustrate the effect of increased initial concentrations of AHL on consumption of energy. More resources (promoters) need to be employed to "accommodate" the increasing [AHL]. This obviously increases the rate of energy depletion, but only until a certain point, as saturating behaviour has been attained - promoter saturation. This is the likely explanation for the "saturation curve" obtained from the experimental data, since the protein degradation terms themselves are almost negligible.

2. Construct 1: [GFP] vs [AHL] - transfer function curve

Figure 7: Transfer function of construct 1, after t = 300 min(x-axis is log-scaled). [AHL] measured in arbitrary units
Figure 8: Transfer function of construct 1, after t = 1000min (x-axis is log-scaled) [AHL] measured in arbitrary units


Discussion

Figure 7 serves to amplify the essential claims from the previous simulation. Saturative behaviour occurs at approximately [AHL] = 5-10 arbitrary units (a.u.). The effect of increasing initial [AHL] beyond this level has negligible effect on [GFP] expression, for initially available resources. This first transfer function is taken at t=300min. We would expect the curve to be considerably reduced at a later instance. This is due to reduced energy resources. This ties in with what is observed in figure 8, at t = 1000: significantly reduced peak expression of GFP.

Construct 1 – effect of varying GFP degradation term on the dynamic behaviour

Figure 9:

Discussion

This simulation illustrates the effect of δGFP on the expression of GFP by construct 1. At small δGFP, the steady-state approach clearly can be attributed to the considerable rate of energy depletion. When the degradation terms are more significant, their effect is considerably greater than the effect of limited resources. If our model were not energy-dependent, then the simulation for δGFP tending to zero should yield a positively sloped parabolic curve.

Conclusions

From the initial simulations performed, it was suggested that construct 2 was more effective than construct 1 on the basis of sensitivity, response time and maximal output of reporter. Construct 1 was superior in terms of energy-efficiency. Its life-time was far greater than that of its counterpart. Both constructs possessed significant strenghts and their further testing was warranted.

Experimental work was thus performed on both constructs. The notable feature of these endeavours was that construct 2 was eventually aborted due to difficulty in effectively purifying LuxR. Since our initial simulations were promising with regards to this device, it should be investigated more fully in the future.

Despite this occurence, the simulations for construct 1, correlate with the data presented by the experimental team, and are a fullfilment of our specifications.

Data Analysis now attempts to extract biologically realistic (plausible) parameters to render the model more predictive.

Software

All deterministic simulations were performed using Matlab 7 (The MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA).

  • m-files of all simulations are available on our Software page.

References

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