Motivation

Link to project (and back).
Theoretical possibilities provided by our system - borders of lab work - future applications

Applet

applet

Tutorial

The applet consists of three parts: Design, Check and Turn-to-DNA. The first allows the user to enter inputs, whereas the second and third supply the user with information about his network. Below the different parts are described in detail.

1. Design a logic network

A logic network can be designed by adding logical devices (via double clicking) and interconnecting them.

There are five different types of logical devices: inputs, outputs, AND-gates, OR-gates and NOT-gates. The type of a local device can be change by clicking on the combo box on the device and selecting a different type. Logical devices can be interconnected by selecting (via clicking inside the area of a device) two devices and then pressing the C key (for connect). A complete logic network has to have at least one input, at least one output, and at least one gate (AND, OR, NOT). Different devices may require different numbers of ingoing and outgoing connections (e.g. a NOT-gate requires one input and allows for a arbitrary number of outputs, whereas the AND-gate requires two inputs and allows for a arbitrary number of outputs; an input may not have an incoming connection, an output no outgoing connection). In addition the logic network may not include loops.

The user has to assign DNA sequences (either custom RNA sequences or sequences coding for proteins) to all input and output devices by clicking on the "Set" button of the devices.

Invalid inputs (e.g. a letter different from G, C, T, A or N in a nucleotide sequence; loop(s) in the logic network; no sequences assigned to input(s)/output(s); input or output sequences that are too similar) are reported back to the users as error messages providing a description of the errors and advices to correct the errors.

2. Check the logic network

The logic network designed in step 1 can now be verified.

Logical values are represented by colors (green = true, red = false). Thus a green box represents a devices (e.g. an AND-gate) with the logical value true, a red box a devices with the logical value false. The flow of logical value can be followed by following the colored edges between the boxes.

The logical value(s) of the input(s) can be manipulated by clicking on their checkbox(es).

3. Turn the logic network into DNA

A set of genetic devices (categorized as input elements, switch elements and output elements) representing the logical network designed in step 1 is calculated and displayed.

All elements (besides custom RNA input sequences) consist of a Escherichia coli promoter and up to two switches and one output sequences.

Disclaimer

Software

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

(Inspired by: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSD_licenses BSC license])

Biology

THIS SOFTWARE IS FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. THE WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, INCLUDING THE DESIGN OF FUNCTIONAL GENE CIRCUITS, IS DISCLAIMED. ESPECIALLY DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING REAL EXPERIMENTS OR ORDERING GENETIC DEVICES / SEQUENCES.

Source Code

Download the source code.