RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Ribo-attenuators: novel elements for reliable and modular riboswitch engineering JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 086199 DO 10.1101/086199 A1 Thomas Folliard A1 Thomas P Prescott A1 Christopher W Jones A1 Travis Bayer A1 Judith P Armitage A1 Antonis Papachristodoulou A1 Lynn J Rothschild YR 2016 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/11/08/086199.abstract AB Riboswitches are structural genetic regulatory elements that directly couple the sensing of small molecules to gene expression. They have considerable potential for applications throughout synthetic biology and bio-manufacturing as they are able to sense a wide range of small molecules and in response regulate gene expression. Despite over a decade of research they have yet to reach this considerable potential as they cannot be treated as modular components. This is due to several limitations including, sensitivity to changes in genetic context, low tunability and large degrees of variation.To overcome the associated difficulties with riboswitches, we have designed and introduced a novel genetic element called a Ribo-attenuator. This genetic element allows for predictable tuning, insulation from contextual changes and a reduction in expression variation. Ribo-attenuators allow riboswitches to be treated as a truly modular and tunable component, and thus increase their reliability for a wide range of applications.