Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of increasing biomass and lipid content in a micro-organism comprising cloning in a vector an exogenous gene sequence selected from the group comprising Atg1 gene, Atg6 gene, and Atg8 gene sequence wherein the sequence is codon optimized for said micro-organism, for inducing autophagy; introducing the vector containing the gene into the genome of the micro-organism to yield a genetically modified micro-organism; and growing the genetically modified micro-organism in suitable medium. According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of increasing biomass and lipid content in a micro-organism exposed to stress, comprising treating the microorganism with an autophagy inducing agent.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter is directed to biosensors comprising spore-forming bacterial cells and/or spores generated therefrom, a recognition unit within each spore-forming cell for binding an analyte of interest, and a reporter molecule within each spore-forming cell for detecting binding of the analyte of interest, wherein the reporter molecule generates a detectable signal upon binding of the analyte by the recognition element. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods of using the biosensors and systems and kits including the biosensors.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter is directed to biosensors comprising spore-forming bacterial cells and/or spores generated therefrom, a recognition unit within each spore-forming cell for binding an analyte of interest, and a reporter molecule within each spore-forming cell for detecting binding of the analyte of interest, wherein the reporter molecule generates a detectable signal upon binding of the analyte by the recognition element. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods of using the biosensors and systems and kits including the biosensors.