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Updated: Dec 13, 2025

'Bioluminescent' Reporter Phage for the Detection of Category A Bacterial Pathogens
Published on: July 8, 2011
A bioluminescent reporter for the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii
Chris R Davis1, Carl H Johnson2, J Brian Robertson3
1Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA.
Abstract:
Haloarchaea have evolved to thrive in hypersaline environments. Haloferax volcanii is of particular interest due to its genetic tractability; however, few in vivo reporters exist for halophiles. Haloarchaeal proteins evolved characteristics that promote proper folding and function at high salt concentrations, but many mesophilic reporter proteins lack these characteristics. Mesophilic proteins that acquire salt-stabilizing mutations, however, can lead to proper function in haloarchaea. Using laboratory-directed evolution, we developed and demonstrated an in vivo luciferase that functions in the hypersaline cytosol of H. volcanii.
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