Seminar Title: A model genetic circuit of a reconfigurable bio-synthesized delivery system for a suspension of Escherichia coli using synthetic biology
Authors: Fabiola Cruz, Jomar González, Valery Lozada, Radamés Ríos, Ubaldo M. Córdova-Figueroa, and Luis A. Ríos-Hernández
Location: B256
Date/Hour: Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 10:30AM
Abstract: Using fundamentals tools developed by synthetic biology and BioBricks, a model reconfigurable bacterial delivery system was designed based on a modified suspension of Escherichia coli. In our model, genetic circuits will program bacteria to move towards a specific target, deliver information or a load and automatically reconfigure to its initial configuration. These designed circuits are specified around another population of E. coli defined as the package (or load). Taxis towards specific stimuli have been proposed as the main inducer of bacterial movement. The model was designed to initiate via two optional routes: a light source or chemical gradients. Several complications were identified in the design process. The proper functioning of the system depends on the synchronization of several time dependant variables, such as the diffusion of the stimuli and the movement of bacteria. The model shows the possibility to apply synthetic biology in the construction of delivery systems based on bacteria. With proper experimental research, the success of this construct can be empirically tested and improved further to include additional complex functions or other operations in the system.