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Modular Biology

Control systems are easily understood by breaking them up into blocks, each with their specific inputs, outputs and functions. This modular approach can be applied to synthetic biological engineering systems. By synthesizing the individual genetic modules and then cascading them together, we can simplify the construction of custom genetic networks. This approach correlates the genetic modules to the functioning of digital gates. Using this technique, a control system is implemented inside the cell itself.

Mechanisms of genetic circuits

At the core of genetic circuits is the process of gene expression itself. Inducers, activators, and repressors can be thought of as inputs to the system, with the outputs being the proteins produced. Since the presence of the inputs/outputs have two states, we can easily model this as logic gates. The 3 component gates focused on in our investigation are NOT, AND and IMPLIES gates.

Flashing Bacteria: An Example

One recent breath-taking achievement performed in synthetic biology was the creation of bacteria which flashes synchronously due to artificially introduced intercellular communication systems as well as internal control mechanisms.

This was accomplished by the implementation of three synthetic genetic networks in cells of E. Coli. The entire bacterial culture was synchronised through modules built for intercellular communication. A more descriptive treatment is provided in our report.