Single-cell measurement of plasmid copy number and promoter activity

Accurate measurements of promoter activities are crucial for predictably building genetic systems. Here we report a method to simultaneously count plasmid DNA, RNA transcripts, and protein expression in single living bacteria. From these data, the activity of a promoter in units of RNAP/s can be inferred. This work facilitates the reporting of promoters in absolute units, the variability in their activity across a population, and their quantitative toll on cellular resources, all of which provide critical insights for cellular engineering.