Difference between revisions of "Part:BBa K802001"

 
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<partinfo>BBa_K802001 short</partinfo>
 
<partinfo>BBa_K802001 short</partinfo>
  
This part associates the <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> <i>Constitutive Promoter</i> (PVeg) with the <i>dispersin B</i> gene (DspB).The DspB gene codes for an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of the extracellular matrix produced by Gram-negative bacteria.
+
This part associates the <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> constitutive promoter (P<sub>veg</sub>) with <i>dispersin B</i> gene (<i>dspB</i>).The <i>dspB</i> gene codes for an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of the extracellular matrix produced by Gram negative bacteria.
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
== Characterization ==
 
== Characterization ==
 
<html>
 
<html>
  
<p>Following results show that this part allows <i>B. subtilis</i> 168 strains to scatter the <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>epidermidis</i> cells in a biofilm. </p><br/>
+
<p>Following results show that the BBa K802001 part allows <i>B. subtilis</i> 168 strains to scatter <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>Staphyloccocus epidermids</i> cells in a biofilm. </p><br/>
  
<p>In our plasmid collection, this part is named pBK33 in the backbone Chloramphenicol and pBKH41 in the shuttle vector <i>E. coli</i> – <i>B. subtilis</i>. The corresponding negative control is the shuttle vector (pBKH26 in our collection). We worked with the plasmid pBKH41 for the tests and we tried two different genetic backgrounds: the strain NM522 to make test in <i>E. coli</i> and the strain 168 to make test in <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>.</p><br/>
+
<p>In our plasmid collection, this part is refered to pBK33 when cloned into the pSB1C3 (CmR) backbone, and pBKH41 when cloned into the high copy shuttle vector <i>E. coli</i> – <i>B. subtilis</i>. The corresponding negative control is the empty shuttle vector (pBKH26 in our collection). The plasmid pBKH41 was introduced into both <i>E. coli</i> NM522 and <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> 168 strains to assay its scattering performance.</p><br/>
  
<a href="http://2012.igem.org/Team:Lyon-INSA/protocol"/><font color="grey"><b>In you have any question on the following experiments, don’t forget that all the informations relative to our strains, plasmids and protocols are on our wiki notebook.</b></font></a>
+
<a href="http://2012.igem.org/Team:Lyon-INSA/protocol"/><font color="grey"><b>If you have any question on the following experiments, don’t forget that all the informations relative to our strains, plasmids and protocols are on our wiki notebook.</b></font></a>
 
<br/><br/><br/>
 
<br/><br/><br/>
  
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       </p><br/>
 
       </p><br/>
  
<p>Biofilms are formed by the <i>S. aureus</i> fluorescent strain RN4220 pALC2084 expressing GFP. It is a nonmotile laboratory strain, used to form biofilms in 96-well microscopic-grade microtiter plate.<br><br/>
+
<i><b>Bacillus subtilis</i> 168</b> was transformed with pBKH41 (<i>dspB</i> in the shuttle vector) and with pBKH26 (empty shuttle vector as a negative control). These two strains were grown on LB medium supplemented with erythromycin (15µg/mL) for 24h at 30°C without shaking to provide the swimmers "biofilm killer".<br>
<i>Bacillus subtilis</i> 168 transformed by pBKH41 (DspB in in the shuttle vector) and by pBKH26 (the shuttle vector without gene to have a negative control) were grown on LB medium supplemented with erythromycin (15µg/mL).<br>  
+
<p>We verify the inocuity of our constructs on <i>B. subtilis</i>. With or without vector we found that <i>B. subtilis</i> was able to swarm the plate overnight. Our tests also show that <i>B. subtilis</i> is a much better swimmer than <i>E. coli</i>.
After 24h of culture at 30°C without shaking, biofilms were observed under a time-lapse confocal microscope. <b>For each well, two observations were made : one before washing the biofilm and one after washing (i.e. after removing the supernatant).</b><br>  
+
</br>
Cells expressing GFP were excited at 488 nm with an argon laser, and fluorescent emission was collected on a detector in the range of 500-600 nm using an oil-immersion objective with a magnification of 63x. The overall three-dimensional structures of the biofilms were scanned from the solid surface to the interface with the growth medium, using a step of 1 µm.<br>
+
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b>Motility plate assays</b></big></p>
The 3D constructions were obtained with IMARIS software.</p>
+
<div style="text-align:center">
 +
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/8/83/Mobile.jpg" width="600px">
 +
</div>
 +
</br></br>
 +
 +
<p><b>Biofilms of the <i>S. aureus</i> fluorescent strain</b> RN4220 pALC2084(GFP-tagged) were cultivated in 96-wells microtiter plates. This strain is a nonmotile laboratory strain.<br>Biofilms with or without addition of <i>B. subtilis</i> were then observed under a time-lapse confocal microscope as described (see protocol). GFP was excited at 488 nm with an argon laser, and fluorescent emission was collected on a detector in the range of 500-600 nm. Biofilms were observed by using an oil-immersion objective with a magnification of 63x. The overall three-dimensional structures of the biofilms were scanned from the solid surface to the interface with the growth medium, using a step of 1 µm. The 3D constructions were obtained with IMARIS software.</p> <b>For each well, two observations were made : one before washing the biofilm and one after washing.</b><br>
 +
<br>
 +
 
 
</br>
 
</br>
 
Three cases are analysed :
 
Three cases are analysed :
</br><ul><b>-Blank</b> : it is a non treated <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm (just with growth medium).
+
 
</br><b>-Negative control</b> : it is a <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated by <i>B. subtilis</i> containing the shuttle vector without the DspB gene.
+
 
</br><b>-Strain with our part</b> : it is a <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated by <i>B. subtilis</i> containing the part BBa_K802001 in the shuttle vector.
+
 
 +
 
 
</br></br>
 
</br></br>
 
<br/>  
 
<br/>  
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b><i>S.aureus</i> biofilm not treated (Blank)</b></big></p>
+
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b>Blank : untreated <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm.</b></big></p>
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/e/ec/S.aureus_biofilm_without_treatment_before_and_after_washing.jpg" width="600px">  
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/e/ec/S.aureus_biofilm_without_treatment_before_and_after_washing.jpg" width="600px">  
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<br/>  
 
<br/>  
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b><i>S.aureus</i> biofilm treated by the strain with the shuttle vector without DspB gene (Negative control)</b></big></p>
+
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b>Negative control : <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated with <i>B. subtilis</i> containing the shuttle vector without the <i>dspB</i> gene.</b>
 +
</big></p>
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/b/ba/S.aureus_biofilm_without_control_treatment_before_and_after_washing.jpg" width="600px">  
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/b/ba/S.aureus_biofilm_without_control_treatment_before_and_after_washing.jpg" width="600px">  
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<br/>  
 
<br/>  
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b><i>S.aureus</i> biofilm treated by the strain with the part</b></big></p>
+
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b><i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated for 4 hours with <i>B. subtilis</i> containing the part BBa_K802001 carried by the shuttle vector.</b>
 +
</big></p>
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/2/2e/S.aureus_biofilm_with_dispersin_treatment_before_and_after_washing.jpg" width="600px">  
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/2/2e/S.aureus_biofilm_with_dispersin_treatment_before_and_after_washing.jpg" width="600px">  
 
</div>
 
</div>
</br>
+
</br></br>
  
<big><b>Conclusion:</b></big>
+
<div style="width:80%;text-align:center;margin:auto;"> <div style="font-size:19px;font-weight:bold;">Conclusion :<br></div><br> Our results demonstrate that the part BBa K802001 leads to the almost complete <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm dispersal</div>
  
</br> With these observations, we concluded that the part allowed <b>to scatter a <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm after washing</b>. The bindings between the <i>S. aureus</i> cells inside the biofilm are affected, so that the biofilm can be easily eliminated after washing. 
+
</br></br>
</br></br></br>
+
  
<big><b><h4>Statistic analysis:</h5></b></big>
+
<big><b><h4>Quantitative image analysis :</h5></b></big>
</br>In order to quantify our results, we made a statistical analysis with the MATLAB software. Different parameters [1] were used to quantify the biofilm, particularly :
+
</br>A quantitative analysis was performed with the MATLAB software. Different parameters<sup>[1]</sup> were used to quantify the biofilm, particularly :
</br><ul><b>- Total Biovolume (µm<sup>3</sup>)</b> : it corresponds to the overall volume of the biofilm and also allows to have an estimation of the biomass in the biofilm.
+
</br><ul>
</br><b>- Substratum coverage (%)</b> : it corresponds to the area coverage in the first image of the stack (i.e. at the substratum). It is a good mean to estimate how efficiently the substratum is colonized by bacteria of the population.
+
<li><b>Total Biovolume (µm<sup>3</sup>)</b> : it corresponds to the overall volume of the biofilm and also allows to have an estimation of the biomass in the biofilm.</li>
 +
<li><b>Substratum coverage (%)</b> : it corresponds to the area coverage in the first image of the stack (i.e. at the substratum). It is a good mean to estimate how efficiently the substratum is colonized by bacteria of the population.</li>
 +
</ul>
 
</br></br>
 
</br></br>
The same three cases as previously are analysed.
+
The same three cases as previously were analysed.
  
 
</br></br>
 
</br></br>
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<div style="text-align:center">
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/d/d0/Total_biovolume_of_S.aureu.jpg" width="600px">  
+
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/c/c1/Graph2disp.jpg" width="600px">  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
</br></br>
 
</br></br>
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<div style="text-align:center">
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/6/66/Substratum_coverage.jpg" width="600px">  
+
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/4/4c/Graph1disp.jpg" width="600px">  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
</br></br>
 
</br></br>
<big><b>Conclusion:</b></big>
+
<div style="width:80%;text-align:center;margin:auto;"> <div style="font-size:19px;font-weight:bold;">Conclusion :<br></div>
</br>These statistical results demonstrate that the <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated by the <i>B. subtilis</i> with the part is significantly reduced after washing. The blank and the negative control prove that washing doesn't affect the biofilm when the cells are not first scattered by the action of dispersin.
+
</br> The results obtained from the blank and the negative control show that if washing doesn't affect the biofilm when the cells are not first scattered by the action of dispersin, <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated with <i>B. subtilis</i> containing the part BBa K802001 is significantly reduced after washing.</div>
</br></br>[1]Quantification of biofilm structures by the novel computer program COMSTAT. Heydorn A, Nielsen AT, Hentzer M, Sternberg C, Givskov M, Ersbøll BK, Molin S.Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Microbiology, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.July 2000.
+
</br></br><sup>[1]</sup>Quantification of biofilm structures by the novel computer program COMSTAT. Heydorn A, Nielsen AT, Hentzer M, Sternberg C, Givskov M, Ersbøll BK, Molin S.Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Microbiology, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.July 2000.
 
</br></br></br></br>
 
</br></br></br></br>
 +
 +
<p> <font color="green" size="3">
 +
            Quantification of <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> biofilm thickness after Dispersin treatment <a href="'https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/5/55/Tests_on_Staphylococcus_epidermidis_biofilms_in_24_wells_plate.pdf"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/64/Fileicon-pdf.png" style="width:25px";> </a><br><HR>
 +
          </font>
 +
      </p><br/>
 +
 +
<p>In order to measure and to appreciate the Dispersin effect on <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> biofilms, tests were conducted in two different systems : in microtiter plates and on glass lamella in test tubes. </p>
 +
<p>Microtiter plates : Each well was inoculated with a 1:100 dilution of a 24h TSB <i>Staphyloccocus epidermids</i> preculture. From crystal violet staining, we can easily see that untreated <i>S. epidermidis</i> biofilms adhere to the well walls. The adherence is estimated from OD<sub>600</sub> to be ca. 75%.
 +
However the <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> biofilm on polystyren or glass coverslip was found too fragile for the manipulation required to test the dispersin effect.</p>
 +
<p>The same kind of tests were done in test tubes containing coverslip. The results are similar to those done on microtiter plates biofilms is destroyed even in presence of the negative control. </p>   
 +
 +
</br></br>
 +
<p> <font color="green" size="3">
 +
            OD<sub>600</sub> Test  <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/2/25/0D%28600%29_Test.pdf"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/64/Fileicon-pdf.png" style="width:25px";> </a><br><HR>
 +
          </font>
 +
      </p><br/>
 +
<p>We measured OD<sub>600</sub> to demonstrate the effect of dispersin on <i>S. epidermidis</i>. This test shows that dispersin has a limited effect on a bacterial suspension of <i>S. epidermidis</i>. This result was expected since dispersin only scatters bacterial aggregates and thus does not reduce the number of cells which is measured when we take OD<sub>600</sub>.
 +
 +
 +
</br></br>
 
<p> <font color="green" size="3">
 
<p> <font color="green" size="3">
 
             SDS-PAGE Protein gel  <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/9/96/SDS-PAGE_Protocol.pdf"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/64/Fileicon-pdf.png" style="width:25px";> </a><br><HR>
 
             SDS-PAGE Protein gel  <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/9/96/SDS-PAGE_Protocol.pdf"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/64/Fileicon-pdf.png" style="width:25px";> </a><br><HR>
 
           </font>
 
           </font>
 
       </p><br/>
 
       </p><br/>
     No massive production of dispersin could be observed in <i>E. coli</i> or in <i>B. subtilis</i> supernatant, even after a 4X concentration by acetone precipitation (data not shown.)       
+
     No massive production of dispersin could be observed in <i>E. coli</i> nor in <i>B. subtilis</i> supernatant, even after a 4X concentration by acetone precipitation (data not shown).      
  
 
<br/> <br/>
 
<br/> <br/>
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<p>As we demontrated with the previous tests, the part BBa_K802001 has a real effect on the <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm. For our Biofilm Killer project, two <b>complementary</b> agents (lysostaphin with the part BBa_K802000 and dispersin with the part BBa_K802001) were used to destroy an installed biofilm. Thus, it was interesting for us to combine these two agents.  
 
<p>As we demontrated with the previous tests, the part BBa_K802001 has a real effect on the <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm. For our Biofilm Killer project, two <b>complementary</b> agents (lysostaphin with the part BBa_K802000 and dispersin with the part BBa_K802001) were used to destroy an installed biofilm. Thus, it was interesting for us to combine these two agents.  
 
<br>
 
<br>
We also have made new tests on 96 wells plate, according to the same protocole than the one used to characterize the lysostaphin part with the confocal microscope. The only difference was that we add 125µL of <i>B. subtilis</i> with the part BBa_K802000 and 125µL of <i>B. subtilis</i> with the part BBa_K802001.  
+
We have also made new tests on 96-well plate, according to the same protocole than the one used to characterize the lysostaphin part with the confocal microscope. The only difference was that we added 125µL of <i>B. subtilis</i> with the part BBa_K802000 and 125µL of <i>B. subtilis</i> with the part BBa_K802001.  
 
</br>
 
</br>
 
Two cases are analysed :
 
Two cases are analysed :
</br><ul><b>- Negative control</b> : it is a <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated by <i>B. subtilis</i> strains containing the shuttle vectors without the Lysostaphin and Dispersin genes.
+
</br><ul>
</br><b>- Strain with our parts</b> : it is a <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated by <i>B. subtilis</i> strains containing the part BBa_K802000 and BBa_K802001 in their shuttle vectors.
+
<li><b>Negative control</b> : it is a <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated with <i>B. subtilis</i> strains containing the shuttle vectors without the Lysostaphin and Dispersin genes.</li>
 +
<li><b>Strain with our parts</b> : it is a <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm treated with <i>B. subtilis</i> strains containing the part BBa_K802000 and BBa_K802001 in their shuttle vectors.</li>
 +
</ul>
 
</br></br>
 
</br></br>
  
 
<br/>  
 
<br/>  
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b><i>S.aureus biofilm</i> treated by the shuttle vectors without the lysostaphin and the dispersin genes (Negative control)</b></big></p>
+
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b><i>S.aureus</i> biofilm treated with the shuttle vectors without the lysostaphin and the dispersin genes (Negative control)</b></big></p>
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/3/3f/Effet_combin%C3%A9_%28t%C3%A9moin%29.jpg" width="600px">  
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/3/3f/Effet_combin%C3%A9_%28t%C3%A9moin%29.jpg" width="600px">  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
</br></br>
 
</br></br>
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b><i>S.aureus biofilm</i> treated by the strain with the Parts BBa_K802000 and BBa_K802001 </b></big></p>
+
<p style="text-align:center"><big><b><i>S.aureus</i> biofilm treated with the strain containing parts BBa_K802000 and BBa_K802001 </b></big></p>
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<div style="text-align:center">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/5/5a/S.aureus_lyso%2Bdisp.jpg" width="600px">  
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/5/5a/S.aureus_lyso%2Bdisp.jpg" width="600px">  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
</br></br>
 
</br></br>
 +
<center><big><b>General conclusion</b></big></center>
 +
<p>
 +
Our results clearly show the dramatic increase in efficiency of Biofilm Killer, which expresses the lysostaphin and dispersin parts in combination, over the other <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> strains harboring only the lysostaphin or dispersin parts.
 +
 +
</br></br></br>
  
 
</html>
 
</html>
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===Usage and Biology===
 
===Usage and Biology===
This part was designed to be used in <i>Bacillus</i> strains in order to scatter a <i>Staphyloccocus aureus</i> biofilm.  
+
This part was designed to be used in <i>Bacillus</i> strains in order to scatter biofilms including <i>Staphyloccocus aureus</i> biofilm which we have used here.  
 
<br>Possible applications include biofilm treatment in medical domain, oil or food-processing industries, using this scattering property to eliminate harmful biofilms.
 
<br>Possible applications include biofilm treatment in medical domain, oil or food-processing industries, using this scattering property to eliminate harmful biofilms.
  

Latest revision as of 22:25, 26 September 2012

Dispersin generator for B. subtilis

This part associates the Bacillus subtilis constitutive promoter (Pveg) with dispersin B gene (dspB).The dspB gene codes for an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of the extracellular matrix produced by Gram negative bacteria.

Characterization

Following results show that the BBa K802001 part allows B. subtilis 168 strains to scatter S. aureus and Staphyloccocus epidermids cells in a biofilm.


In our plasmid collection, this part is refered to pBK33 when cloned into the pSB1C3 (CmR) backbone, and pBKH41 when cloned into the high copy shuttle vector E. coliB. subtilis. The corresponding negative control is the empty shuttle vector (pBKH26 in our collection). The plasmid pBKH41 was introduced into both E. coli NM522 and Bacillus subtilis 168 strains to assay its scattering performance.


If you have any question on the following experiments, don’t forget that all the informations relative to our strains, plasmids and protocols are on our wiki notebook.


Confocal Microscopy



Bacillus subtilis 168 was transformed with pBKH41 (dspB in the shuttle vector) and with pBKH26 (empty shuttle vector as a negative control). These two strains were grown on LB medium supplemented with erythromycin (15µg/mL) for 24h at 30°C without shaking to provide the swimmers "biofilm killer".

We verify the inocuity of our constructs on B. subtilis. With or without vector we found that B. subtilis was able to swarm the plate overnight. Our tests also show that B. subtilis is a much better swimmer than E. coli.

Motility plate assays



Biofilms of the S. aureus fluorescent strain RN4220 pALC2084(GFP-tagged) were cultivated in 96-wells microtiter plates. This strain is a nonmotile laboratory strain.
Biofilms with or without addition of B. subtilis were then observed under a time-lapse confocal microscope as described (see protocol). GFP was excited at 488 nm with an argon laser, and fluorescent emission was collected on a detector in the range of 500-600 nm. Biofilms were observed by using an oil-immersion objective with a magnification of 63x. The overall three-dimensional structures of the biofilms were scanned from the solid surface to the interface with the growth medium, using a step of 1 µm. The 3D constructions were obtained with IMARIS software.

For each well, two observations were made : one before washing the biofilm and one after washing.


Three cases are analysed :


Blank : untreated S. aureus biofilm.




Negative control : S. aureus biofilm treated with B. subtilis containing the shuttle vector without the dspB gene.




S. aureus biofilm treated for 4 hours with B. subtilis containing the part BBa_K802001 carried by the shuttle vector.



Conclusion :

Our results demonstrate that the part BBa K802001 leads to the almost complete S. aureus biofilm dispersal


Quantitative image analysis :


A quantitative analysis was performed with the MATLAB software. Different parameters[1] were used to quantify the biofilm, particularly :
  • Total Biovolume (µm3) : it corresponds to the overall volume of the biofilm and also allows to have an estimation of the biomass in the biofilm.
  • Substratum coverage (%) : it corresponds to the area coverage in the first image of the stack (i.e. at the substratum). It is a good mean to estimate how efficiently the substratum is colonized by bacteria of the population.


The same three cases as previously were analysed.





Conclusion :

The results obtained from the blank and the negative control show that if washing doesn't affect the biofilm when the cells are not first scattered by the action of dispersin, S. aureus biofilm treated with B. subtilis containing the part BBa K802001 is significantly reduced after washing.


[1]Quantification of biofilm structures by the novel computer program COMSTAT. Heydorn A, Nielsen AT, Hentzer M, Sternberg C, Givskov M, Ersbøll BK, Molin S.Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Department of Microbiology, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.July 2000.



Quantification of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm thickness after Dispersin treatment



In order to measure and to appreciate the Dispersin effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms, tests were conducted in two different systems : in microtiter plates and on glass lamella in test tubes.

Microtiter plates : Each well was inoculated with a 1:100 dilution of a 24h TSB Staphyloccocus epidermids preculture. From crystal violet staining, we can easily see that untreated S. epidermidis biofilms adhere to the well walls. The adherence is estimated from OD600 to be ca. 75%. However the Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm on polystyren or glass coverslip was found too fragile for the manipulation required to test the dispersin effect.

The same kind of tests were done in test tubes containing coverslip. The results are similar to those done on microtiter plates biofilms is destroyed even in presence of the negative control.



OD600 Test



We measured OD600 to demonstrate the effect of dispersin on S. epidermidis. This test shows that dispersin has a limited effect on a bacterial suspension of S. epidermidis. This result was expected since dispersin only scatters bacterial aggregates and thus does not reduce the number of cells which is measured when we take OD600.

SDS-PAGE Protein gel



No massive production of dispersin could be observed in E. coli nor in B. subtilis supernatant, even after a 4X concentration by acetone precipitation (data not shown).

Combined action between the parts BBa_K802000 and BBa_K802001



As we demontrated with the previous tests, the part BBa_K802001 has a real effect on the S. aureus biofilm. For our Biofilm Killer project, two complementary agents (lysostaphin with the part BBa_K802000 and dispersin with the part BBa_K802001) were used to destroy an installed biofilm. Thus, it was interesting for us to combine these two agents.
We have also made new tests on 96-well plate, according to the same protocole than the one used to characterize the lysostaphin part with the confocal microscope. The only difference was that we added 125µL of B. subtilis with the part BBa_K802000 and 125µL of B. subtilis with the part BBa_K802001.
Two cases are analysed :

  • Negative control : it is a S. aureus biofilm treated with B. subtilis strains containing the shuttle vectors without the Lysostaphin and Dispersin genes.
  • Strain with our parts : it is a S. aureus biofilm treated with B. subtilis strains containing the part BBa_K802000 and BBa_K802001 in their shuttle vectors.



S.aureus biofilm treated with the shuttle vectors without the lysostaphin and the dispersin genes (Negative control)



S.aureus biofilm treated with the strain containing parts BBa_K802000 and BBa_K802001



General conclusion

Our results clearly show the dramatic increase in efficiency of Biofilm Killer, which expresses the lysostaphin and dispersin parts in combination, over the other Bacillus subtilis strains harboring only the lysostaphin or dispersin parts.



Usage and Biology

This part was designed to be used in Bacillus strains in order to scatter biofilms including Staphyloccocus aureus biofilm which we have used here.
Possible applications include biofilm treatment in medical domain, oil or food-processing industries, using this scattering property to eliminate harmful biofilms.


Sequence and Features


Assembly Compatibility:
  • 10
    COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
  • 12
    COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
  • 21
    COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]
  • 23
    COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
  • 25
    INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]
    Illegal NgoMIV site found at 675
  • 1000
    COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]