SynBioFromLeukipposInstitute

by
Beales PA, Vanderlick TK

"We present a critical review of recent work related to the assembly of multicompartment liposome clusters using nucleic acids as a specific recognition unit to link liposomal modules. The asymmetry in nucleic acid binding to its non-self complementary strand allows the controlled association of different compartmental modules into composite systems. These biomimetic multicompartment architectures could have future applications in chemical process control, drug delivery and synthetic biology. We assess the different methods of anchoring DNA to lipid membrane surfaces and discuss how lipid and DNA properties can be tuned to control the morphology and properties of liposome superstructures. We consider different methods for chemical communication between the contents of liposomal compartments within these clusters and assess the progress towards making this chemical mixing efficient, switchable and chemically specific. Finally, given the current state of the art, we assess the outlook for future developments towards functional modular networks of liposomes."

http://bit.ly/1fnjVkr

by
Ye H, Aubel D, Fussenegger M.

"Synthetic biology is the science of reassembling cataloged and standardized biological items in a systematic and rational manner to create and engineer functional biological designer devices, systems and organisms with novel and useful, preferably therapeutic functions. Synthetic biology has significantly advanced the design of complex genetic networks that can reprogram metabolic activities in mammalian cells and provide novel therapeutic strategies for future gene-based and cell-based therapies. Synthetic biology-inspired therapeutic strategies provide new opportunities for improving human health in the 21st century. This review covers the most recent synthetic mammalian circuits designed for therapy of diseases such as metabolic disorders, cancer, and immune disorders. We conclude by discussing current challenges and future perspectives for biomedical applications of synthetic mammalian gene networks."


 http://bit.ly/1jJLY0I

by
Alireza Mashaghi • Cees Dekker

"Cells proliferate by division into similar daughter cells, a process that lies at the heart of cell biol- ogy. Extensive research on cell division has led to the identification of the many components and control ele- ments of the molecular machinery underlying cellular division. Here we provide a brief review of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell division and emphasize how new approa- ches such as systems and synthetic biology can provide valuable new insight."

http://bit.ly/1aZrcI6

http://bit.ly/1bHMncf

Synthetic Biology and Arts http://bit.ly/1lpNcAe

by
KLINT FINLEY

"In the not too distant future, we could see cyborg plants that tell us when they need more water, what chemicals they’ve been exposed to, and what parasites are eating their roots. These part-organic, part-electronic creations may even tell us how much pollution is in the air. And yes, they’ll plug into the network.

 http://wrd.cm/LtBkwU

an important cellular reprogramming paper: "which requires neither nuclear transfer nor the introduction of transcription factors"

*Stimulus-triggered fate conversion of somatic cells into pluripotency*

by
Haruko Obokata,Teruhiko Wakayama,Yoshiki Sasai,Koji Kojima,Martin P. Vacanti,Hitoshi Niwa,Masayuki Yamato& Charles A. Vacanti

"Here we report a unique cellular reprogramming phenomenon, called stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP), which requires neither nuclear transfer nor the introduction of transcription factors. In STAP, strong external stimuli such as a transient low-pH stressor reprogrammed mammalian somatic cells, resulting in the generation of pluripotent cells. Through real-time imaging of STAP cells derived from purified lymphocytes, as well as gene rearrangement analysis, we found that committed somatic cells give rise to STAP cells by reprogramming rather than selection. STAP cells showed a substantial decrease in DNA methylation in the regulatory regions of pluripotency marker genes. Blastocyst injection showed that STAP cells efficiently contribute to chimaeric embryos and to offspring via germline transmission. We also demonstrate the derivation of robustly expandable pluripotent cell lines from STAP cells. Thus, our findings indicate that epigenetic fate determination of mammalian cells can be markedly converted in a context-dependent manner by strong environmental cues."

http://bit.ly/1mYk3aM

http://bit.ly/1ib1YWD

 

see also

ONLINE GAME BEATS ALGORITHM FOR RNA DESIGN http://bit.ly/1byCMEu

 http://bit.ly/1i7pILe

by
futurepredictions

"In an effort to build a nanoscale DNA sequencer, IBM scientists are drilling nano-sized holes in computer-like chips and passing DNA strands through them in order to read the information contained within their genetic code.

This research effort is to design a silicon-based DNA Transistor that could help pave the way to easily and quickly read human DNA, generating advancements in health condition diagnosis and treatment. The challenge in the effort is to slow the flow of the DNA through the hole so the reader can accurately decode what is in the DNA. If successful, the project could improve throughput and reduce cost to achieve the vision of personalized genome analysis at a cost of $100 to $1,000. In comparison, the first sequencing ever done by the Human Genome Project (HGP) cost $3 billion.A human genome sequencing capability affordable for individuals is the ultimate goal of the DNA sequencing and is commonly referred to as $1,000 genome. Ultimately, it can improve the quality of medical care by identifying patients who will gain the greatest benefit from a particular medicine and those who are most at risk of adverse reactions."

http://bit.ly/19XqMRA