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Project

Single cell analysis of stochastic gene expression in persisters.

Non-genetic individuality can originate from stochastic fluctuations in transcription and translation. Cellular biochemical processes involving a small number of (macro)molecules are intrinsically stochastic. Such noise in gene expression may make coordination of cellular activities more difficult. On the other hand, this may also be advantageous for populations grown under specific conditions, such as environmental stress. Persistence is the phenomenon whereby a fraction of a isogenic population is tolerant to extremely high levels of antibiotics. We have recently identified a possible regulator of persistence in Escherichia coli, called PerA. Our hypothesis is that stochastic variation in cellular PerA concentration results in persistence in those cells where a threshold concentration of PerA is reached. Our aim is to analyse the nature and origin of persistence through a interdisciplinary approach involving single-cell and single-protein microscopic analysis in combination with mathematic/statistic methodologies. In addition, the combination of fluorescence and Raman-based techniques allows combination of gene expression and biochemical fingerprinting.
Date:1 May 2008 →  30 Apr 2012
Keywords:Single cell analysis
Disciplines:Plant biology