Towards in vivo computing: Quantitative analysis of an artificial gene regulatory network behaving as a RS flip-flop and simulating the system in silico

Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/reportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Artificial gene regulatory networks (AGRNs) are instrumental in elucidating basic principles that govern the dynamics and consequences of stochasticity in the gene expression of naturally occurring "gene regulatory networks". In contrast to state of the art computer engineering circuits, these AGRNs are evolutionarily highly optimized and fault tolerant. We draw motivation from the fact that Non-deterministic Polynomial-time (NP) and NP-hard computational tasks can not be solved using conventional computing techniques. This study is a stepping stone towards solving problems such as "Traveling salesman problem" (TSP) in a time bound fashion using interconnection-free bio-computing devices. In this in vivo study we quantitatively show that a reporter gene encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) can be switched from high to low expression states and vice versa, thus mimicking a "RS flip-flop", This was accomplished by using the bistable, transgenic AGRN incorporating the N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) sensing lux operon from Vibrio flscheri along with a toggle switch in Escherichia coli, developed by Collins et al. (2004). The inducers and temperature act as inputs to the AGRN. GFP expression was quantified using flow cytometry. The "plug and play" property was demonstrated by showing that any output gene could be expressed based on a similar logic. The software model, previously proposed by Collins et al. (2004) was extended and analyzed by incorporating the function of the inducer Isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and temperature. We also demonstrate that such a system is robust and fault tolerant.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2006 1ST BIO-INSPIRED MODELS OF NETWORK, INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SYSTEMS
PublisherWiley-IEEE Press
Number of pages7
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Peer-reviewedYes

Conference

Title1st International Conference on Bio-Inspired Models of Network, Information and Computing Systems
Duration11 - 13 December 2006
CityMadonna di Campiglio
CountryItaly

External IDs

Scopus 50249135364
ORCID /0000-0003-0137-5106/work/142244220

Keywords

Keywords

  • in vivo computing, toggle switch, RS flip-flop, quorum sensing, artificial gene regulatory networks, NP-hard problems, flow cytometry, ESCHERICHIA-COLI, MOLECULAR COMPUTATION, CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE, EXPRESSION, REPRESSOR, NOISE, LUX, BIOLUMINESCENCE, IDENTIFICATION, AUTOINDUCER