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Team:UT Dallas
From 2012.igem.org
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<h2 class='title'>Distributed Cellular Processing Units: a synergistic approach to biological computing</h2> | <h2 class='title'>Distributed Cellular Processing Units: a synergistic approach to biological computing</h2> | ||
The goal of the 2012 University of Texas at Dallas IGEM team is to redefine biological information processing using quorum signaling-based biological circuitry in bacteria. Quorum signaling allows bacteria to communicate with each other through the use of chemical signals. Bacteria use this form of signaling in nature to coordinate their behavior. Using three quorum signaling molecules we create unique connections between different populations of engineered bacteria and perform coordinated computing functions. We design and characterize standard and novel modules such as toggle switches, oscillators, signal propagators, and logic gates. As compared to engineering molecular circuitry in single populations, we aim to show that the synergistic approach to information processing leads to improved, scalable, and tunable operation. | The goal of the 2012 University of Texas at Dallas IGEM team is to redefine biological information processing using quorum signaling-based biological circuitry in bacteria. Quorum signaling allows bacteria to communicate with each other through the use of chemical signals. Bacteria use this form of signaling in nature to coordinate their behavior. Using three quorum signaling molecules we create unique connections between different populations of engineered bacteria and perform coordinated computing functions. We design and characterize standard and novel modules such as toggle switches, oscillators, signal propagators, and logic gates. As compared to engineering molecular circuitry in single populations, we aim to show that the synergistic approach to information processing leads to improved, scalable, and tunable operation. | ||
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Revision as of 19:53, 3 October 2012
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infographics
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AND gate
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Oscillator
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Our project is centered around creating a working toggle switch that flips between two different states when presented with certain chemicals. We started with a simple switch that utilizes two inhibitor proteins, LacI and TetR, which bind to sites on the pLac and pTet promoters, respectively. When bound to these promoters transcription is not able to proceed; any genes downstream of the promoter are effectively off. However, certain chemicals (IPTG in the case of LacI) will prevent these inhibitor proteins from binding to their respective promoters, allowing transcription of genes to continue constituively. Our design places a fluorescent and inhibitor gene downstream of one of these promoters, as shown in the diagram below. If these parts work as intended, then side 1, when running, should turn off side 2, and vice versa. By adding the chemicals IPTG or ATc, we can turn off the inhibitor proteins of one side, allowing the other side to become dominant.
