Construction of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Biosensors with Novel Sensing Elements from Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655.

Detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been extensively studied since it is a common explosive filling for landmines, posing significant threats to the environment and human safety. The rapid advances in synthetic biology give new hope to detect such toxic and hazardous compounds in a more sensitive and safe way. Biosensor construction anticipates finding sensing elements able to detect TNT.

Daptomycin exerts rapid bactericidal activity against Bacillus anthracis without disrupting membrane integrity.

Aim: To examine whether the novel cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin could be used to treat anthrax and to study the mechanisms underlying its bactericidal action against Bacillus anthracis.

Methods: Spore-forming B anthracis AP422 was tested. MIC values of antibiotics were determined.