Electron cryotomography of sub-cellular assemblies
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Abstract
Future biotechnological applications of photosynthesis will require
bacteria that can harvest more of the solar spectrum than currently. That
way they could use more solar energy for making useful chemicals and
fuels. We are working on new pathways and combinations of pigments
in a photosynthetic bacterium that will exploit new parts of the solar
spectrum Ultimately we aim to convert a cell such as an E. coli into a
photosynthetic cell by engineering internal solar panels that allow them
to use sunlight for the first time. A crucial aspect of this work will involve
mapping in 3D molecular detail, arrangements of the protein pigments in
both native and engineered cells. To achieve this, we will exploit exciting
new developments in microscopy- cryo-electron tomography- that allow
us to visualise cells in unprecedented detail. We will create 3D images
of the photosynthetic machinery where we can even identify and locate
individual molecules. A crucial component of this project will involve the
development of new imaging methods that allow us to see the structures
more clearly. The project will involve combinations of biochemistry, use
and development of electron imaging approaches and computational
bacteria that can harvest more of the solar spectrum than currently. That
way they could use more solar energy for making useful chemicals and
fuels. We are working on new pathways and combinations of pigments
in a photosynthetic bacterium that will exploit new parts of the solar
spectrum Ultimately we aim to convert a cell such as an E. coli into a
photosynthetic cell by engineering internal solar panels that allow them
to use sunlight for the first time. A crucial aspect of this work will involve
mapping in 3D molecular detail, arrangements of the protein pigments in
both native and engineered cells. To achieve this, we will exploit exciting
new developments in microscopy- cryo-electron tomography- that allow
us to visualise cells in unprecedented detail. We will create 3D images
of the photosynthetic machinery where we can even identify and locate
individual molecules. A crucial component of this project will involve the
development of new imaging methods that allow us to see the structures
more clearly. The project will involve combinations of biochemistry, use
and development of electron imaging approaches and computational
People |
ORCID iD |
Per Bullough (Primary Supervisor) |
Publications
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011151/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2023 | |||
1801038 | Studentship | BB/M011151/1 | 30/09/2016 | 30/03/2021 |
Description | - Cryo-EM skills and expertise: sample preparation, independently using the microscopy facilities and using a range of programs for image processing - Collaboration with group in Lisbon: greater understanding of bacterial endospore ultrastructure, especially in Clostridium difficile. - Electron microscopy techniques to gain structural informations of the outermost layers of endospores. This is used to generate From 3D models of the surface layers. - The outermost layer of Clostridium sporogenes endospores, a model organism for studying Clostridium botulinum, have been found to possess a highly resilient layer. This is similar to the outermost layers present in Bacillus. |
Exploitation Route | The studying of outermost layers in spores provides an insight into the host-pathogen interactions that take place with pathogens such as Clostridium difficile and Clostridium botulinum. This understanding can be used for the development of therapeutics or markers for treatment and detection pathogen respectively. |
Sectors | Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Assembly and composition of C.difficile endospore surface layers |
Organisation | New University of Lisbon |
Department | António Xavier Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology |
Country | Portugal |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Electron microscopy expertise |
Collaborator Contribution | Cell samples and mutants. |
Impact | Manuscript in preparation |
Start Year | 2017 |