Today I have made a new publication foray and submitted a manuscript to bioRxiv. This is the main paper to have come out of work on our BBSRC Lux grant. We are yet to find a peer-review home – but one of our co-authors has already had a conversation with someone who wants to use the method – so it was time to put the manuscript out there while we continue with the peer-review process. R code and Biomodels submission will follow. The manuscript details are:
Abstract
The bacterial Lux system is used as a gene expression reporter. It is fast, sensitive and non-destructive, enabling high frequency measurements. Originally developed for bacterial cells, it has been adapted for eukaryotic cells, and can be used for whole cell biosensors, or in real time with live animals without the need for slaughter. However, correct interpretation of bioluminescent data is limited: the bioluminescence is different from gene expression because of nonlinear molecular and enzyme dynamics of the Lux system. We have developed a modelling approach that, for the first time, allows users of Lux assays to infer gene transcription levels from the light output. We show examples where a decrease in bioluminescence would be better interpreted as a switching off of the promoter, or where an increase in bioluminescence would be better interpreted as a longer period of gene expression. This approach could benefit all users of Lux technology.
Not stated in the abstract is that we have also discovered experimental evidence for product inhibition of the LuxAB reaction.
If you like the article, and would like to try the method, or give us feedback, please do be in touch.
Dov Stekel's Laboratory 