Exploiting synthetic biology and microfluidics to determine the mutagenic potential of antibiotics

Purpose and goal:

This project aims to develop a new faster and more efficient method to investigate the mutagentic potential of antibiotics in human cells. The goal is to evaluate a new technology that combines synthetic biology with droplet-based microfluidics to determine if it can offer an interesting alternative to today´s established methods.

Expected results and effects:

Within the period of the project, we expect to achieve a thorough understanding of potential and possibilities of the new technology. Our ambition is to demonstrate proof-of-concept of the technology and investigate commercial potential. If it turns out that the method offers an interesting alternative to today´s established methods, this project could have major impact in industries such as pharmaceuticals and the chemical industry.

Approach and implementation:

This is an interdisciplinary collaboration between biology and engineering. The first step is to develop a library of bacteria with an integrated repressor on the glucose metabolism gene. In parallel, a droplet-based microfluidic system with integrated acoustics will be developed to be able to sort droplets based on their content.

As a final objective we will encapsulate the bacterial library together with antibiotics in the droplets and use the acoustic force to sort out the droplets that contain bacteria that have mutated after exposure to antibiotics.