1. Introduction

We used the Nativis technology [1] to alter gene expression in the algae Chlamydomonas (short for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) [2] . A radio frequency fingerprint is taken from a chemical dissolved in an aqueous solution as described in [1] . The radiofrequency is then transmitted via an antenna array or coil to the targeted biological system. It has been shown that under certain conditions, the signal can affect the recipient molecule in a similar way as the chemical itself [1] . This non-thermal radio frequency stimulation technology has several advantages. One has good control over timing to affect metabolic pathways during the growth of an organism. The technology does not rely on the use of genetic modifications to affect biochemical pathways. This is especially valuable for growing algae in open ponds for oil production. Thus, this method does not generate ecological or political opposition since it avoids the cultivation of genetically modified algae (GMO) in open ponds.

Chlamydomonas is widely used in the laboratory to study the production of oil mainly because of its well characterized molecular biology and biochemistry [2] [3] . Our working hypothesis is that the siRNA signal transmitted to Chlamydomonas has the same effect on the mRNA as the physical siRNA. That is, it affects the cleavage of the mRNA via the RNA-induced silencing complex [3] . The mechanism of the interaction between the radiofrequency signal and the silencing complex (RISC) is not known.

To optimize the Nativis technology we targeted a well characterized enzyme in Chlamydomonas, the beta subunit of tryptophan synthase (MAA7) [4] . Zhao et al. have shown that the siRNA machinery functioning in Chlamydomonas, siRNA against MAA7 reduces the mRNA levels of MAA7 [4] . This leads to a reduction of the conversion of prodrug 5-FI to the highly toxic 5-FTryptophan. This allows the cells to grow in the presence of 5-FI. Here we present the optimization of the siRNA signal transduction to Chlamydomonas while we measure the growth rate and then fine tune the conditions measuring the amount of mRNA produced under the influence of the signal specific for the mRNA.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Strains, Culture Conditions

The strain CC-125 [5] of Chlamydomonas was obtained from the Chlamydomonas Resource Center, University of Minnesota, 140 Gortner Laboratory, St. Paul, MN 55108. Standard culture conditions were used [2] . Hutner’s trace elements [2] were from Chlamy.org (http://www.chlamycollection.org/). 5-Fluoro-Indole (Sigma F9108-1G) was dissolved in Methanol. The control cultures receive the equivalent amount of methanol. All cultures were inactivated with Clorox before disposal.

2.2. Growth of Chlamydomonas

A batch of fresh TAP medium [2] was inoculated with a sample of stationary

phase cells. 30 ml of cell suspension was then distributed into 250 ml Erlenmeyers flasks and cultured on an orbital shaker (VWR 89032-092) at 100 rpm under artificial light (GE Lighting 41624 60/A/PL Plant Light, Amazon.com) (Figure 1). A sheet of yellow plastic was placed between the light and the cultures, to remove wavelengths below 550 nm. Papers placed on the plastic sheet were used to control the amount of light across the shaker platform. The amount of light was measured with a Mastech Professional Luxmeter, LX1010B (Amazon.com). The OD at 750 nm was measured with a Shimadzu photo spectrometer. Stationary growth was reached at an OD at 750 nm of 2.1 to 2.5. For continuous signaling, see below.

2.3. Signals Recorded from MAA7 siRNA

The signal Chl-001 was derived from the siRNA TGCCGGGGTAGTCCAGGC CGGC that silences MAA7 [4] . The siRNA was purchased from InVitrogen, (Scale: 20N, 97.9 nM). Acquisition of the signal was from a solution of 5 nM of siRNA in PBS (Gibco, 10010-049) as described [1] .

2.4. Transmission of the Signal

The method has been described in detail [1] . In short, the cultures were transferred into glass tubes (VWR 60856-132) and inserted into a Helmholtz coil in a Quartet Reactor (Figure 2). The controls were treated identical but were kept in a silent coil. MAA7 siRNA signal transmission was at 70 mGauss for 20 to 30 minutes, either once or twice daily. Sometimes the cultures were vortexed in the glass tubes for 20 seconds before or/and after being exposed to the signal. The Voyager we used for these experiments was an early version to the one described

[1] , but it had the same specifications. The exposure of the cultures to the signal was around 3% of the total culture time.

2.5. Continuous Signaling

To increase the exposure time of the culture to the signal, we used continuous signaling (Figure 3). This increased the exposure time to the signal to 8.8% of the culture time. The cell suspension was pumped at 16 ml/min through 1/4 inch tubing (VWR 60985-528) wound 4 times lengthwise around the Helmholtz coil. The main cell culture was in a 250 ml plastic Erlenmeyer flask under continuous illumination. The cells were kept in suspension by bubbling air through the solution. (Liquid pump: VWR: 57951-016, Elite 800 Air Pump, Amazon.com Air Stone, Air-Cylinder, VWR: 470103-670).

2.6. Shielding from External Magnetic Fields

The orbital shaker produces ~20 mGauss external field that was shielded with mu-metal sheets placed between the flask and the shaker. The Vortex Mixer (VWR 10153-838) generated an external magnetic field of up to 1500 mGauss, therefore we modified the vortexer to run on DC current. The shaker platforms for signal cultures and control cultures were 8 feet apart to avoid interference between the control cultures, signal cultures and potential interferences between other components.

2.7. Isolation of RNA and Real-Time Quantitative PCR (RT-QPCR)

Cell suspensions of 2.5 ml were collected and mixed with 100 μl RNAlater (Ambion AM 7020). 30 μl Plant RNA Isolation Aid (Ambion AM9690M) was added and the RNA was recovered following the RNAqueous Kit from Ambion (AM9690M). RT-QPCR was done with an ABI Prism 7000 using the TaqMan® One-Step RT-PCR Master Mix Reagents Kit (ABI 4309169) with the VIC and FAM Kit (ABI 4331348) using custom primers (ABI 4332078) designed to detect tryptophan synthase beta subunit (MAA, Genbank: XM_001703345) and the control gene: G protein beta subunit-like polypeptide (Cblp, Genbank: X53574). 5 μl and 2 μl RNA was used in a final volume of 50 μl with the first incubation at 48˚C for 30 min, then 10 min at 95˚C followed by 40 cycles of 95˚C for 15 sec and 60˚C for 15 sec [6] .

The RT-QPCR data from both sets of primers were used to calculate the fold increase in the mRNA levels for MAA7 by the delta-delta method [6] [7] [8] . Errors were calculated using standard error propagation, see also [4] . All calculations were done using Excel Spreadsheets (Microsoft, Windows).

3. Results

While optimizing the signal transmission to cultures of Chlamydomonas we found conditions that were effective in reducing the level of the enzyme MAA7. We initially measured the increased growth in 5-FI media under the influence of the signal Chl-001. Once we found conditions that worked, we determined the reduction of a specific mRNA under the influence of the signal using RT-QPCR.

3.1. Selection of 5-Fluoro-Indole Concentrations in Growth Media without Signal

To determine the concentration of 5-Fluoro-Indole to use in our experiments, we generated a dose response curve (Figure 4). We started the cultures with a cell density of 0.009 OD at 750 nm and in 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 μM 5-FI. We measured the growth after 3 days. Compared to controls with no pro-drug, a concentration of 5 μM 5-FI inhibited growth partially. Growth was completely inhibited at 10 μM 5-FI and above. We used a dose of 5 μM 5-FI for subsequent experiments with the signal.

3.2. Signaling at the Early Stages of Growth in 5 μM 5-Fluoro-Indole Enhances Growth

The cultures were started at a low cell density of 0.007 OD at 750 nm and the

growth was monitored for 4 days (Table 1). At day 4, the cultures reached saturation. To administer the signal, the cell suspensions were transferred into large test tubes, vortexed first for 20 sec. They were then exposed to the signal Chl-001 at 70 mGauss in a Helmholtz coil (Figure 2) for 20 min, twice a day; this translates to a total exposure period to the signal of 3.5% of the culture time. The 5-Fluoro-Indole was added to the cell culture at day 2 and the cell density was measured just after the addition of the prodrug. Under the influence of the signal, the cell mass increased by 24% at day 3 compared to the control.

3.3. Applying the Signal to the End Stages of Growth Reduces mRNA Levels for MAA7

We started the culture at a high cell density of 0.502 OD at 750 nm. The Signal Chl-001 was applied at 70 mGauss, 4 times for 25 min during 2 days. This amounts to 3.5% of the culture time. The cultures reached saturation at around 2.1 OD at 750 nm in one day. After 2 days, we measured mRNA levels by RT-QPCR (Table 2). Ct is the number of PCR cycles needed to reach a threshold level of PCR product. The more PCR cycles needed (e.g. higher Ct values), the less starting mRNA was in the sample [6] [7] [8] . The delta-delta calculations were used to determine the fold increase/decrease of a mRNA [6] [7] [8] . Table 2 shows the Ct data of the RT-QPCR and the calculated delta-delta values. Signal and control with cultures starting at high concentrations (N = 3). Transmission was twice for 25 min at 70 mGauss. Two sets of primers were used, one set for MAA7 and one set for the control Cblp (G protein beta subunit-like polypeptide, Genbank: X53574). There is a 23% reduction in MAA7 mRNA levels when treating cultures during the later stages of growth. For the next experiment, we decided to use a starting cell density that reflects logarithmic growth phase of Chlamydomonas.

3.4. Applying the Signal during the Logarithmic Phase of Growth Is More Effective at Reducing mRNA Levels for MAA7

The cultures were started at a density of 0.104 OD at 750 nm without the prodrug 5-Fluoro-Indole. The Signal Chl-001 was given 4 times for 20 min at 70 mGauss, evenly spaced over the 2 days. The signal exposure time is 3.6% of the total culture time. RT-QPCR was used to measure the levels of MAA7 mRNA that is the target of the signal Chl-001 and compared it with the levels of Cblp mRNA that is not affected by the signal. The comparison is done by the delta-delta method which calculated the fold increase of the experimental mRNA compared to the control mRNA [6] [7] [8] . After two days all the cultures reached saturation at 1.6 OD at 750 nm, there was no significant difference be-

tween the cultures (data not shown). Table 3 shows the Ct values (threshold value) of the RT-QPCR [8] . Ct is the number of PCR cycles need-ed to reach a threshold level of a PCR product. The more PCR cycles needed (e.g. higher Ct values), the less starting mRNA is in the sample [6] [7] [8] . Table 3 also shows the results of the delta-delta calculation. There is a 43% decrease in mRNA levels of MAA7 in Chl-001 signal treated cultures compared to the control cultures that did not receive the signal.

3.5. Applying the Signaling for Longer Times at the Later Logarithmic Growth is Effective in Reducing MAA7 mRNA Levels

We started the cultures at 0.336 OD at 750 nm and gave the signal Chl-001 at 70 mGauss continuously (Figure 3). Since only a portion of the culture is at any time in the Helmholtz coils, this amounts to 8.7% of the culture time the cells were exposed to the signal. The mRNA levels were determined after 18 hrs. The control culture had reached 0.800 OD at 750 nm and the treated culture reached 0.885 OD at 750 nm.

4. Discussion

To demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nativis Signal transmission strategy [1] , we transmitted the signal Chl-001derived from a siRNA that is known to inhibit the enzyme MAA7 [4] to cultures of the algae Chlamydomonas. The signal Chl-001 reduced the amount of MAA7 under certain conditions. Here we will first discuss the optimization of cultures and signal application using as a measure cell density. Then we will discuss the use of RT-QPCR to find the optimal time window in the growth of Chlamydomonas to treat algae.

4.1. siRNA Selection and Signal Application

We used a published siRNA [4] that silences the tryptophan synthase beta subunit (MAA7). If MAA7 is inhibited, Chlamydomonas can grow in the presence of 5 μM 5-Fluoro-Indole [4] . The analysis of the growth of Chlamydomonas in 5 μM 5-FI, while under the stimulus of signal transmission makes this system a simple and fast way to optimize the signaling conditions.

To transmit the signal to the cell suspension, we used an early prototype of the “Voyager” system described in [1] . Transmission of the signal to the culture was for 20 or 25 min twice a day. This amounted to an exposure of around 3% of the total culture time. To increase the exposure time, we tested continuous signal transmission. This is closer to a setup that would be used in a commercial setup in the field (Figure 3). For continuous signal transmission, we replaced the orbital shakers with an air bubbling system and we pumped the cell suspension continuously through tubing wound around the Helmholtz coil. The diameter of the tube and the pump speed determined the residence time of the cells in the Helmholtz coil. We calculated that the total exposure time was around 8.8% of the culture time.

During our optimization we had to modify the culture setup of Chlamydomonas. This included the reduction of magnetic interference and the removal of the near UV component from the light source. Most laboratory equipment produces large amounts of magnetic fields, especially the Vortex, but also the orbital shakers and the fluorescent lights. To reduce the magnetic fields, the shaker platforms were covered with mu-metal. We modified the vortex to run on DC current. We replace the fluorescent lights with candescent lights and a cut-off filter (yellow plastic sheet).

To reduce the cross interference of the imprinted magnetic signature between the experimental cell cultures and the control cultures we moved the cultures 5 feet apart.

Something that became clear during our experiment was that Chlamydomonas cultures change their response to the signal depending on the growth stage at which one starts to treat the cultures. To test the signal during different growth phases, we used different starting concentrations of cells. Low initial cell density reflects the early growth phase. We also tested the logarithmic growth phase and the late growth phase for the effect of the signal on mRNA levels.

4.2. Overcoming 5-Fluoro-Indol Inhibition with the Signal Chl-001 at the Early Stages of Growth

In a culture with 5-FI, we expected that the signal enhances the growth of the cultures, since it will reduce the enzyme 5-Indole-Tryptophan synthetase (MAA7) and therefore, less of the toxic 5-FT will be produced. We chose to do the initial testing of the down regulation of MAA7 mRNA by the siRNA signal by growing the cultures with 5-Fluoro-Indole. We followed the growth by measuring the OD at 750 nm. This is a fast way to determine if the signal has an effect, while measuring mRNA levels is quite time consuming. Initially, we tested the effect of the signal on the growth of cultures with 10 μM 5-FI starting at low initial density (0.01 OD at 750 nm). At 10 μM of 5-FI the cells did not grow, the signal had no effect (Data not shown). Therefore, we determined the growth of Chlamydomonas at different concentrations of 5-FI (Figure 4). At 5 μM 5-FI there is some growth and we decided to use that concentration to determine if the signal could overcome the partial growth inhibition of 5-FI.

We started to treat the cultures with the signal Chl-001 at low cell density (0.007 OD at 750 nm) and grew it without 5-FI for 2 days (Table 1). At day 2 we added 5 μM 5-FI. At that time, the cells had grown to 0.184 OD at 750 nm with the signal compared to 0.207 OD without the signal. We assume that is due to the reduced production of tryptophan with the signal. When we apply the selective prodrug 5-FI at day 2 we find that the growth during the following days has been enhanced by 24% at day 3 with the signal. We assume that the control cells grew less, since they generated more toxic 5-FT. However, the use of the prodrug is complicated by the fact that the cells need to produce viable levels of tryptophan to sustain growth, especially in competition with the prodrug levels. Therefore, for the remainder of the experiments, we omitted the prodrug and measured only mRNA levels for the enzyme MAA7.

For accurate measurements of the effect of the signal, we determined the levels of the mRNA for MAA7 in the cultured cells using RT-QPCR. To normalize the mRNA levels of MAA7, we used the levels of Cblp (G protein beta subunit-like polypeptide). Cblp is not affect by the signal. We used the standard delta-delta method to calculate the fold increase/decrease of MAA7 [6] [7] [8] under the influence of the signal.

4.3. Signal Applied during the Late Growth Phase

Table 2 shows the RT-QPCR data of cultures that were started at an OD of 0.5. The cultures were treated for 24 hours. At that time they all had reached saturation at 2.1 OD at 750. Both, the culture that received the signal and the one without signal grew at the same rate (data not shown). After they had all reached saturation at 2.1 OD at 750. The mRNA was extracted and RT-QPCR was carried out with the primers for MAA7 and the primers for the internal control, Cblp (Table 2). The summary for the delta-delta calculations of the RT-QPCR data are also shown in Table 2. Under this conditions, the mRNA levels for MAA7 decreased by 23 %.

4.4. Signal Applied during the Late Growth Phase

To treat the cultures during the logarithmic growth phase, the cultures of Chlamydomonas were started at a density of 0.104 OD at 750 nm. The signal was applied the first time at the start of the experiment and then in 12 hr intervals. Both, the culture that received the signal and the one without signal grow at the same rate (data not shown). After 2 days the mRNA was extracted and RT-QPCR was carried out with the experimental primers for MAA7 and the primers for the internal control, Cblp (Table 3). The summary for the delta-delta calculations of the RT-QPCR data are also shown in Table 3. There was a 42% decrease in mRNA for MAA7 with the signal.

4.5. Signal Applied during the Late Growth Phase

Applying the signal continuously leads to an exposure of the total cell suspension for 8.8% of the culture time. A big part of the culture volume is not exposed the Helmholtz coil (Figure 3), but is in tubing and the culture vessel. However, the continuous setup reflects most closely a setup that one would use in an industrial application. In our setup, the culture was pumped through the coil and back into the growth vessel for 18 hours (Figure 3, Table 4). The control setup was in a different room with slightly different temperatures. This explains the small difference in the cell density reached after 19 hrs. Two samples were collected after 19 hrs. The RT-QPCR data and the results of the delta-delta calculations are shown in Table 4. There is a 57% reduction of the mRNA for MAA7 with an error of 11% (calculated STDEV).

Two conditions increase the effectiveness of the signal (Table 5). Either starting at an intermediate culture density in the logarithmic growth phase (0.104 OD at 750 nm) or at higher starting density, but treating the cultures for a longer time (8.7% of the culture time versus 3.5%). Under these conditions one can expect to see a ~50% decrease in the mRNA levels for MAA7. Starting signal transmission early during growth or at the end of the growth phase is less effective.

*n = 1, but two samples were withdrawn and analyzed by RT-QPCR.

5. Conclusion

We found conditions for the Nativis Signal Technology [1] to reduce the mRNA levels of the enzyme MAA7 up to 50% compared with untreated controls. The Nativis technology is an environmentally friendly technology that will be easy to control and to apply in a commercial setup. A major advantage of the technology is that it does not use genetical modifications to increase oil production. Thus it does not generate ecological or political opposition to the cultivation of genetically modified algae (GMO) in open ponds. Our next step will be to use signals that affect enzymes that can change the levels of oil production in algae.

Acknowledgements

Alan Herr designed the coils and reduced the electromagnetic footprint of the equipment. Many individuals, both past and present employees at Nativis, have contributed to the work. We would like to thank David Matteson and Steve Pope for edits and feedback on the manuscript.