Biosensor development for single-cell detection of glucuronate

Abstract

Recent work in biosensors has shown promise to enable high throughput searches through large genetic libraries. However, just as physiological limitations and lack of in-depth mechanistic knowledge can prevent us from achieving high titers in microbial systems, similar roadblocks can appear in the application of biosensors. Here, we characterized a previously developed transcription-factor (ExuR) based galacturonate biosensor for its other cognate ligand, glucuronate. Though we saw an ideal response to glucuronate from the biosensor in controlled and ideal experimental circumstances, these results began to deviate from a well-behaved system when we explored the application of the sensor to different MIOX homologs. Through modifications to circuit architecture and culture conditions, we were able to decrease this variation and use these more optimal conditions to apply the biosensor for the separation of two closely related MIOX homologs.