Team:XMU-China/futureplan

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Future Plan

1. Digital Display
Genetic parts we have constructed are more complicated than normal BioBricks, leading to uncertain performance which may not correspond to previous predictions. This problem highlights an issue that how to build robust and predictable synthetic gene networks. Unlike electronic circuits, most  newly  created  gene  circuits  are  non-functioning  due  to  intrinsic  parameter uncertainties,  external  disturbances  and  functional  variations  of  intra-  and  extra-cellular environments^[1]. In terms of molecular level, alteration in strength of the promoter and RBS is necessitated to obtain an optimal method for assemblage of genetic parts. Our goal for next stage is to seek a useful method for constructing a complex genetic network that can achieve its desired steady state behaviors. Once we achieve that, a real genetic seven-segment display will be much easier to build, so as other complex circuits.

2. Time Delay
Unsatisfying with our present stage of primary research of time delay, we plan to use the marker gene GFP and then evaluate the time spent for bio-circuits with different grade of RBSes to reach a certain fluorescent level. Besides, we also tend to characterize the control of pBAD and other promoter in a much more systematical way.

3. Cell Immobilization
We have almost finished building our display device, just a few more running tests are needed to improve and perfect it. We plan to immobilize cells that contain other genetic circuits we constructed and stuff them correspondingly into the seven glass tubes. The transportation system of oxygenated medium is also needed perfection. After some optimizing experiments, we can finally accomplish our digital display device.   

4. E-ink
“What will we get in this project?” We have been asked for many times but still have no idea, until an E-book displayed on our lab. We were inspired by this magical device and got our answer.

E-book is a book-length publication in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, and produced on, published through, and readable on computers or other electronic devices.^[2] Its core is E-ink. E-ink is a specific proprietary type of electronic paper manufactured by E-Ink Corporation, founded in 1997 based on research started at the MIT Media Lab. However, E-ink has some shortcoming, like it just can display monochromatic figure. But, the E.coli in our project in this year can replaced the E ink. And the microcapsules, which are used for nurturing bacteria, can also replace the pearls, which are used for carrying ink. We concluded all above for 4 reasons.

1. Digital display and E ink share the same working principle;
2. There are both microcapsules on their solution;
3. We can control their station by controlling the input signal;
4. Comparing monochromatic E-ink, we can construct different logical circuits in the engineering bacteria, and add different inducer. Then the bacteria will generate chromatic GFP. In another word, we could create multicolor E-book.

In a word, if we can improve technology, the digital display will probably replace the traditional E-ink.

5. Reference
[1]Chen, B.-S. and C.-H. Wu. A systematic design method for robust synthetic biology to satisfy design specifications[J]. BMC Systems Biology, 2009, 3(1): 66.
[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebook