As part of the international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition in synthetic biology, we are developing PixCell, a foundational technology using an electrogenetic mechanism which links a bacterial response to an electrical stimuli. The system consists of genetically engineered bacteria encoding genetic networks that are activated or deactivated at specific voltages. We are developing hardware (an electrode array), software (in silico models and computational controller) and genetic networks (DNA circuits which produce fluorescence in response to electrical signals) to build a predictable, programmable system for spatial patterning of cells.
Biological Modules
Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi
finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babylonios
temptaris numeros. Ut melius, quidquid erit, pati!
Seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,
5quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare
Tyrrhenum, sapias: vina liques et spatio brevi
spem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit invida
aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
Electrochemical Modules
Vivamus mea Lesbia, atque amemus,
rumoresque senum seueriorum
omnes unius aestimemus assis!
soles occidere et redire possunt:
nobis cum semel occidit breuis lux,
nox est perpetua una dormienda.
da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.
dein, cum milia multa fecerimus,
conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,
aut ne quis malus inuidere possit,
cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.
Pixcell
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Why is Pixcell useful?
Turning specific genes on and off is a fundamental step towards controlling biological systems. If we want to be able to engineer cells, tissues and perhaps entire organisms using a bottom-up approach (from the DNA components to the biological system) we need a way to control the spatio-temporal expression of genes. Our technology is a foundational advance in this field.
Pixcell is The Future
There are several alternative methods that allow spatio-temporal control of gene expression. The classic way is to use chemical inducers that bind control transcription factors (which affect expression of genes) which are orthogonal (taken from an organism other than the chassis being used to prevent interactions with the host’s genetic networks). Gene expression can also be achieved via physical signals, such as temperature, pressure and light. The field of optogenetics, which uses light to control gene expression, is a competitive alternative to the electrogenetic system we are developing due to its ease of computational control. (Important: the addition of new sets of tools for this purpose can open possibilities regards control that cannot be archived by only one methodology)
BASICS & Automation Methods
Not only the project itself, the methods we used are also novel.
