Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Microbiology/Immunology/Virology
Taylor Noeller - Alabama State University
Co-Author(s): Timothy Egbo and Alain Bopda Waffo, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
Bacteriophages, are viruses that can only infect bacteria. Qβ phages are found in the human and animal feces and have been approved by the FDA for biomedical use in humans. RNA phage display has been recently developed to present antigen. It was previously discovered that a 15-mer peptide from the streptavidin bind to the quantum dot (QD) and also few 14-mer peptide attracts spore from bacteria. By expressing peptides fusion on the A1 protein of the Qβ phage, the phage will exhibit the functional group properties to attract the spore and QDs, thus allowing the phage to be utilized as novel biosensor for the spore detection. To express the peptide, we first amplified and purified the gene for digestion to ligate with E.coli plasmid with the cDNA of the phage. We then tested the purity and infectivity of the phage. This basic discovery opens up the ability to express different peptides that will attract other cells or compounds. Future development of this biosensor technology includes attaching a quantum dot or other luminescent to the phage. This technology is revolutionary because of the relatively inexpensive and quick production of bacteriophages.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): This work was supported by NSF-REU (DBI-1358923) to Dr. Komal Vig (PI) and by NSFCREST (HRD-1241701) to Dr. Shree S. Singh (PI).
Faculty Advisor: Alain Bopda Waffo,