Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Engineering
Ron Weiss, Thomas F. Knight Jr.,
and Gerald Sussman
In this chapter we present an engineering discipline to obtain complex, pre-
dictable, and reliable cell behaviors by embedding biochemical logic circuits
and programmed intercellular communications into cells. To accomplish this
goal, we provide a well-characterized component library, a biocircuit design
methodology, and software design tools.
Using the cellular gates, we introduce
genetic process engineering
, a method-
ology for modifying the DNA encoding of existing genetic elements to achieve
the desired input/output behavior for constructing reliable circuits of significant
complexity. We also describe BioSpice, a prototype software tool for biocircuit
design that supports both static and dynamic simulations and analysis of single-
cell environments and small cell aggregates.
INTRODUCTION
The goal of our research is to lay the foundations of an engineering disci-
pline for building novel living systems with well-defined purposes and behav-
iors using standardized, well-characterized components. Cells are miniature,
energy efficient, self-reproduce, and can manufacture biochemical products.
These unique characteristics make cells attractive for many novel applica-
tions that require precise programmed control over the behavior of the cells.
The applications include nanoscale fabrication, embedded intelligence in ma-
terials, sensor/effector arrays, patterned biomaterial manufacturing, improved
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