Team:Aix-Marseille/Project

KILL XYL

Abstract

Our project, KILL XYL will be a cure against the disease caused by the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa. This disease currently causes the loss of thousands of hectares of European crops and no extensive cure exists against it.

KILL XYL has a two step approach. Since the symptoms of disease are only observed when xylem vessels are highly colonized by the bacterium and photosynthesis is blocked, we first detect the symptoms of the disease using a drone equipped with a camera.

We will then treat the disease with a combination of three strategies. To directly attack the bacterium, we developed specific phage-like particles that inject toxins. To disrupt the biofilm, which is the principal cause of plants death, a particular fatty acid that quenches the quorum sensing activity of the bacterium and an enzyme that degrades the biofilm will be used.

KILL XYL concept

KILL XYL project.

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Modelling

InterLab

We used plasmids containing different promoter from the 2017 distribution kit and transfect into E.coli. Before measuring fluorescence expression, we used LUDOX and fluorescein to calibrate the TECAN. We prepared a dilution series of fluorescein in 4 replicates and measure the fluorescence in a 96 well plate in a plate reader. By measuring these in all standard modes, we generated a standard curve of fluorescence for fluorescein concentration. We used this to correct cell based readings to an equivalent fluorescein concentration and convert this into a concentration of GFP.

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