Biological Information Technology Systems - BITS: Hybrid Testbed for Evaluation of Cell-Cell Communication Models in Prokaryotes

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EIA-0130843 Chris D. Cox University of Tennessee Hybrid Testbed for Evaluation of Cell-Cell Communication Models in Prokaryotes Information processing strategies utilized by biological cells are fundamentally different than those used for silicon-based computing and thereby hold great promise for the development of improved algorithms, software, and hardware. However, our understanding of how genetic networks control information flow in biological systems needs to be further developed. To this end, various research programs are underway to develop models of genetic networks; however, the success of this effort could falter unless tools to directly observe cell processes and validate the models are developed and integrated into the model development process. The proposed research program seeks to develop a hybrid testbed to calibrate and validate models of genetic regulatory networks controlling quorum sensing behavior in prokaryotic organisms. The benefits or [sic] this project to biological information technology include: i) development of a system for calibration and validation of genetic regulatory models leading to a better understanding of intracellular information flow; ii) improved technologies for silicon-to-cell and cell-to-cell silicon information transfer; and iii) a better understanding of information transfer between cells through chemical signaling. Project objectives, methods, and impacts are described below.