Biomedically relevant circuit‐design strategies in mammalian synthetic biology. Issue 1 (24th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bacchus, William; Aubel, Dominique; Fussenegger, Martin
• Is Part Of: Molecular systems biology. Volume 9:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2013-09-24
• Subjects: gene circuits -- mammalian designer devices -- synthetic biology; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1038/msb.2013.48
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-4292

Abstract

Abstract : The development and progress in synthetic biology has been remarkable. Although still in its infancy, synthetic biology has achieved much during the past decade. Improvements in genetic circuit design have increased the potential for clinical applicability of synthetic biology research. What began as simple transcriptional gene switches has rapidly developed into a variety of complex regulatory circuits based on the transcriptional, translational and post‐translational regulation. Instead of compounds with potential pharmacologic side effects, the inducer molecules now used are metabolites of the human body and even members of native cell signaling pathways. In this review, we address recent progress in mammalian synthetic biology circuit design and focus on how novel designs push synthetic biology toward clinical implementation. Groundbreaking research on the implementation of optogenetics and intercellular communications is addressed, as particularly optogenetics provides unprecedented opportunities for clinical application. Along with an increase in synthetic network complexity, multicellular systems are now being used to provide a platform for next‐generation circuit design. Abstract : This review covers the burgeoning field of mammalian synthetic biology. New designs for potential clinical applications are discussed with examples of circuits that directly interface with endogenous cellular activities, enable intercellular communication or function as prothetic networks. Synopsis: This review covers the burgeoning field of mammalian synthetic biology. New designs for potential clinical applications are discussed with examples of circuits that directly interface with endogenous cellular activities, enable intercellular communication or function as prothetic networks.