Speaker: Dr. David McMillen (University of Toronto) Where: L-GE 110 | When: 1:15 pm “Putting Cells to Work: Experimental Projects in Synthetic Biology” Abstract: The Synthetic Biology and Cellular Control lab works on three main streams of research: Applying ideas from engineering (especially control theory) to the analysis and design of synthetic feedback controllers; Expanding the synthetic biology “toolbox” with new engineered systems; and Seeking cell-based solutions to real-world problems. I will discuss of our two ongoing projects. [Toolbox] We have created a set of transcriptional activators based on recruiting T7 RNA polymerases to user-specified target sites through DNA-binding-protein activity, yielding a new class of customizable activators for use in bacterial cells (with the potential to expand to other organisms). [Application] Low-cost blood screening for infectious diseases is an issue in much of the developing world. We have used modified yeast cells to create an inexpensive antibody detection test aimed at blood screening. The system requires no electricity or instrumentation, and offers the potential for a very low cost-per-test. Photos By: Michael Chung (left); Ebony Demers (right) Comments are closed.
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