Generating new biological component functions through RNA switches

christina D Smolke， California Institute of technology智力价值RNA开关提供了一种基因编码技术，用于编程信息处理和控制生命系统。该项目为生物控制系统的编程提供了一个模块化的、可扩展的框架，其中目标表达水平可以根据分子输入进行上调或下调，调节响应特性可以针对特定应用进行调整，从而将平台的实用性扩展到更广泛的应用范围。通过提供一个将不同分子信息与细胞表型联系起来的总体框架，RNA开关为产生具有各种感觉、酶或调节活性的新生物组分提供了强大的策略。该项目强调了一种技术的进步，这种技术具有良好定义的设计策略，并且可以转移到各种不同的系统中，增加了对更大的科学界的效用和影响。更广泛的影响将开发教育项目，将不同培训水平的研究和教育结合起来，让跨学科的学生研究人员和导师团队参与开放式的研究挑战，并让他们参与项目定义和设计的早期阶段，并强调社区建设和与不同受众交流研究。这些项目将向年轻学生介绍尖端工程研究，并积极吸引代表性不足的群体参与。研究项目对社会的好处是深远的，因为由此产生的技术将显著影响我们与生命系统交互和设计的能力。

CBET-0828663Christina D Smolke, California Institute of TechnologyIntellectual merit RNA switches provide a genetically-encoded technology for programming information processing and control in living systems. This project advances a modular, extensible framework for the programming of biological control systems, in which target expression levels can be up- or down-regulated in response to molecular inputs and the regulatory response properties can be tuned for specific applications, thereby expanding the utility of the platform to a broader range of applications. By providing a general framework through which to link diverse molecular information to cellular phenotype, RNA switches provide powerful strategies for generating new biological components exhibiting a variety of sensory, enzymatic, or regulatory activities. This project emphasizes the advancement of an enabling technology that has well-defined design strategies and that is transferable to a variety of different systems, increasing the utility to and impact on the larger scientific community. Broader impacts Educational programs will be developed that merge research and education across different training levels, engage interdisciplinary teams of student researchers and mentors in open-ended research challenges and involve them in early phases of project definition and design, and emphasize community building and communicating research to different audiences. The programs will introduce cutting-edge engineering research to younger students and actively target involvement of underrepresented groups. The benefits of the research program to society are far-reaching as the resulting technologies will significantly impact our ability to interface with and engineer living systems.