DNA Minicircles for Synthetic Biocomputing

The genomes of even the simplest bacteria function as highly sophisticated computing units capable of changing their output (e.g. the type and number of proteins produced) in response to changes in the environment. This has led to the idea that organisms could be used as bio-computers. However, there are a number of disadvantages inherent in using existing organisms to provide circuits for bio-computing. Therefore, an entirely synthetic bio-computer which operates in cell extract but which is capable of the same wealth of logical operations as a living genome would be highly desirable.  Our design uses synthetic, minimal genomes which perform logical operations using closed circular DNA loops which can be supercoiled. DNA supercoiling is able to control the output of a genome because it changes the shape of the DNA, which in turn influences DNA recognition by proteins such as transcription factors or repressors which switch gene expression on or off. Supercoiling is far more efficient for information transfer than using coupling between the production of transcription factors or repressor proteins, because it uses the DNA itself as the conduit, and is almost instantaneous. We will discuss the feasibility of using DNA minicircles containing 500 to 5000 base pairs as synthetic DNA logic gates.

Host: Susan Stepney - York Centre for Complex Systems Analysis 

An interdisciplinary seminar series aimed at researchers from all disciplines - The seminar is followed by a refreshment break prior to interdisciplinary discussion