Small RNAs (sRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that play fundamental roles in the response of bacterial cells to environmental cues. We study the response of genetic networks and architectural motifs that include sRNAs, as well as the cell-to-cell variability in the expression of genes controlled by sRNAs. To do so, we use fluorescence microscopy and microfluidic techniques that allow us to measure directly the concentrations of fluorescently-tagged target proteins in individual cells as they respond to controlled stimuli, as well as single-molecule fluorescence in-situ hybridization to monitor the response at the target transcript level.
RyhB-induced degradation of target gene transcript