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From 2010.igem.org

Description

Abstract

Sequential logic switches are the basis for many common electronic devices such as digital clocks and calculators. Here we present a novel design for the imitation of sequential logic using basic genetic parts within E. Coli. By using a combination of DNA recombinase enzymes, promoter systems, and an innovative pattern of recombinase binding sites, we can reproduce sequential-logical functions on the compact molecular scale. By using single DNA molecules as a medium for such functions within bacterial vehicles, we can essentially mimic the functionality of a combination lock, and produce a "locked" gene which can be effectively "unlocked" only after a specific sequence of inputs detected by the bacterial promoter system. Since the DNA molecule is used as a logical medium, the "locked" and "unlocked" states are effectively heritable to subsequent bacterial cell lines, which would make such a system useful as the computational basis for many higher-order genetic devices from bacterial calculators to engineering of new metabolic pathways to bacterial drug delivery systems.

Background

Recombination

Two-plasmid System

Parts

The Key Plasmid

The Key Plasmid produces recombinase enzymes based upon specific chemical inputs. These enzymes recognize the recombination sites on the "locked" plasmid and alter the DNA.

The Lock Plasmid