System, method, and device for the expression or repression of proteins

Abstract

This invention relates to systems, methods, and devices for inducing and/or repressing the expression of proteins. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, methods, and devices for inducing and/or repressing the expression of proteins in plastids. An exemplary embodiment involves the regulation of the expression of proteins involved in hydrogen production to stimulate the production of hydrogen gas using the methods, systems, and devices described herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for preparing an expression system for inducing the production of a protein in the plastid of a cell, the method comprising the steps of
 introducing a first nucleic acid into the nucleus of the cell wherein the first nucleic acid encodes an inducible promoter;   operatively linking the first nucleic acid to a second nucleic acid to form a recombinant nucleic acid wherein the second nucleic acid encodes a stability factor;   wherein the introduction of an inducer or the removal of a repressor induces the expression of the stability factor;   wherein the expressed stability factor associates in the plastid with an untranslated region of an mRNA stabilized by the stability factor and transcribed from a third nucleic acid;   wherein the third nucleic acid is either native to the plastid or is foreign to the plastid and   wherein the third nucleic acid encodes the protein; and   wherein expression of the mRNA results in the production of the protein.   
     
     
         2 .- 66 . (canceled)