Development of "RIGR (Recombinse-mediated In vivo Genomic Recording) system"

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K05762
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38020:Applied microbiology-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Infectious Diseases (2022); University of Tsukuba (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Abe Kimihiro 国立感染症研究所, 治療薬・ワクチン開発研究センター, 主任研究官 (10748940)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 枯草菌 / バイオフィルム / セリンリコンビナーゼ / DNA組換え / 細胞分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Many bacteria form communities called biofilms to survive harsh natural environments. It is known that individual bacterial cells play different roles in biofilms. Our research aimed to develop a novel methodology for analysis of bacterial behaviors in a biofilm, designated as "RIGR (Recombinse-mediated In vivo Genomic Recording) system", using Bacillus subtilis as the model organism. In this study, we established B. subitlis strains that can store a memory of cellular differentiation into sporulating or natural (DNA) competent cells in their genomic DNA. The RIGR system can be expected to contribute to a better understanding of bacterial biofilms in the future.

Free Research Field

細菌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の目的は、バイオフィルム中の個々の細菌の分化状態データを各細菌ゲノムDNAを記録媒体として保存する”in vivo ゲノム記録法(RIGR法)"の技術的基盤を確立することである。本手法を用いることで、自然環境中の細菌の暮らしぶりをよりリアルに知ることができ、ヒトと微生物のより良い共生関係の構築に寄与すると考えられる。