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JST Press Release

November 24, 2016
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
5-3, Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8666

Development of an artificial photosensor which induces gene expression under red light illumination

Professor Sode (Division of Biotechnology and Life Science, Institute of Engineering, Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology) and research student Mr. Nakajima (Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology) succeeded in the development of an artificial photosensor which induces gene expression under red light illumination. This innovative achievement was based on the engineering a cyanobacterial photoreceptor, CcaS, which induces gene expression under green light illumination and repressing it under red light illumination. The artificial photosensor showed strict gene regulation ability, and the induction of target gene was perfectly repression under green light, whereas strongly induced under red light. Thus constructed sensor protein can be utilized for the strict and versatile gene regulations in the future recombinant microorganism based bioprocesses.

Program Information

JST CREST
Research Area “Creation of Basic Technology for Improved Bioenergy Production through Functional Analysis and Regulation of Algae and Other Aquatic Microorganism”
Research Theme “The Cyanofactory”

Journal Information

Mitsuharu Nakajima, Stefano Ferri, Matthias Rögner, and Koji Sode. “Construction of a Miniaturized Chromatic Acclimation Sensor from Cyanobacteria with Reversed Response to a Light Signal”. Scientific Report, Published online 24 November 2016, doi: 10.1038/srep37595

Contact

[About Research]
Koji Sode, Ph.D.
Professor, Division of Biotechnology and Life Science, Institute of Engineering, Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology
E-mail:
URL: http://web.tuat.ac.jp/~tanpaku/index.html

[About Program]
Tetsu Kawaguchi
Life Innovation Group, Department of Innovation Research, JST
E-mail:

Japanese


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