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Updated: May 25, 2026
05:52
In Situ Measurement and Correlation of Cell Density and Light Emission of Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: June 28, 2018
The bacterial lux reporter system: applications in bacterial localisation studies
1Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Department of Microbiology and School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. c.gahan@ucc.ie
Current Gene Therapy
|January 24, 2012
Summary
Bacterial bioluminescence, using the lux operon, enables in vivo imaging of bacteria. This reporter system tracks bacterial colonization and gene delivery, particularly for tumor targeting via bactofection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bacterial bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon mediated by the lux operon, involving bacterial luciferase and a fatty acid reductase complex.
- The lux operon facilitates light production without exogenous substrate addition, making it a self-sufficient reporter system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the utility of bacterial bioluminescence as a reporter system for in vivo imaging.
- To discuss the application of bioluminescence imaging in tracking bacterial colonization and gene delivery (bactofection), especially in tumor targeting.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the lux operon for bacterial bioluminescence.
- Employing sensitive detection systems for in vivo imaging of light emission.
- Cloning the lux operon into recipient host bacteria.
Main Results:
- The lux operon enables recipient bacteria to produce visible light in vivo.
- Bioluminescence imaging effectively tracks bacterial localization during infection and colonization.
- The system is suitable for monitoring bacterial amplification in situ for gene delivery applications.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial bioluminescence via the lux operon is a powerful tool for in vivo imaging.
- This technology facilitates studies on bacterial localization, host colonization, and bactofection.
- Bioluminescence imaging offers significant potential for investigating bacteria as vectors for gene therapy, particularly in oncology.
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