Using published plasmid vectors containing the bgaB gene encoding a heat-stable beta-galactosidase, we have been unable to fuse strong promoters to this reporter gene. In addition, we could not analyze the promoter strength by a plate assay. Therefore, we constructed an Escherichia coli-Bacillus subtilis shuttle vector to allow the cloning of strong promoters and their rapid analysis in B. subtilis by plating on X-Gal plates in the presence of the inducer IPTG. We show that the blue color of the colonies reflects the strength of the promoters, which was verified by measuring the beta-galactosidase activities. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.