Date of Graduation
8-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Microelectronics-Photonics (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Microelectronics-Photonics
Advisor/Mentor
Beitle, Robert R. Jr.
Committee Member
Kim, Jin-Woo
Second Committee Member
Henry, Ralph L.
Third Committee Member
Wise, Rick L.
Keywords
Applied sciences; Carbon nanotubes; Cell wall permeability; Escherichia coli; Membrane damage
Abstract
This research investigated the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a treatment to increase the permeability of a bacterial cell wall. Recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) containing a plasmid that expressed Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and -lactamase were exposed to CNTs under various levels of agitation for different times. Fluorescence assay for GFP, optical absorbance for -lactamase activity, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the amount of released protein, and visually examine the permeability enhancement of the cells, respectively. It was found that more -lactamase was present in the culture fluid after treatment with CNTs in a dose dependent manner. Indeed, CNTs can lyse the cells up to 90% of maximum when compared to lysozyme treatment. Based on TEM, it is believed that this treatment damaged the cell walls to make E. coli permeable, causing periplasm proteins and enzymes to leak out into the medium. Consequently, CNTs can be used as lysis agents when it is undesirable to add an additional enzyme (lysozyme) to cause the release of intracellular proteins.
Citation
Mosleh, A. (2016). Investigation of CNT-induced Escherichia coli Lysis and Protein Release. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1689
Included in
Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons, Biomedical Commons, Nanotechnology Fabrication Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons