Dan Close

Description of Research:

Bioluminescence is a spectacular phenomenon whereby an organism is able to produce visible light with minimal generation of heat. Although most commonly observed in fireflies (Photinus pyralis), this reaction is most prevalent in bacterial species. These bacterial luciferase systems present myriad advantages over competing systems for use as reporter targets both in vivo and in vitro, however the gene products do not naturally function in eukaryotic cells, limiting their usefulness. My research centers on the development of the bacterial luciferase gene cassette from Photorhabdus luminescens into an autonomously functional mammalian bioreporter. To this end we have altered the DNA encoding the genes to more closely represent human codon preference, as well as added additional enhancer elements to promote efficient transcription and translation in exogenous systems. We are currently characterizing the intracellular biochemical environment surrounding the bacterial luciferase genes to better understand what steps can be taken to optimize expression and mature this technology. When complete the bacterial luciferase gene cassette will be available as an additional tool for investigators seeking to determine real-time, long-term, interactions within mammalian cells without the need to supply potentially influential luciferin substrates.

Contact Information

Dan Close
Prospective PhD Candidate, Class of 2006

Email: dclose@utk.edu

Mentor

Dr. Gary Sayler

Degree

BS: Biology, St. Louis University