typical mRNA test with huge fold change? Any suggestions - (Jul/03/2015 )

Hi,

I'm trying to assess whether a novel nucleic acid extraction procedure is compatible with gene expression analysis. The lab has access to micro facilities where my colleagues grow up e.coli etc.

What I would like to demonstrate is that the system can pick up increases/decreases in mRNA levels (there is a chance it will just trash any RNA even though it has been good so far for gDNA/SNPs etc), so my question is:

Can anybody recommend an easy-to-set-up experiment that will cause a big increase in mRNA expression of any gene in e.coli (or other bacterium)? I was thinking something like heat-shock but I'm sure there are much more dramatic examples out there? Can anybody help me out here?

Thanks

Paul

You could redo Nobel winner Jacques Monod's experiments by giving the bacteria different kinds of sugars and watching genes for enzymes being transcribed. Eg. lactose and lactose permease. 

Molecular Cell Biology Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. 2000