A Synthetic Biology Project - Developing a single-molecule device for screening drug-target interactions

Area of Science:

• Synthetic Biology
• Biotechnology
• Molecular Engineering

Background:

• Engineering principles applied to biological systems.
• Development of standardized biological parts ('bioparts') and gene expression systems.
• Need for single-molecule detection methods in drug discovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• Demonstrate engineering techniques for biosensor design.
• Detect drug-target interactions at the single-molecule level.
• Develop a magnetoresistive Magnetic Tweezer device.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 'bioparts' and cassette-type assembly for gene expression systems.
• Constructed DNA substrates using a cassette-system.
• Engineered a magnetoresistive Magnetic Tweezer device for single-molecule analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified challenges with current 'bioparts' and cassette assembly approaches.
• Successfully constructed a magnetoresistive Magnetic Tweezer device.
• Explored the potential for a Hall Effect sensor variant.

Conclusions:

• The developed biosensor enables single-molecule detection of drug-target interactions.
• The Magnetic Tweezer device is effective for studying DNA modifying enzymes like helicases.
• Potential applications include antimalarial drug development and other therapeutic targets.