SHF: Small: Distributed DNA Computations Operating on a Collection of Cell Membranes

生物细胞膜是与其他细胞及其环境进行交流的界面。该项目旨在使基于DNA的分子级设备能够在细胞膜上运行，并在不同细胞上的这些设备之间提供通信。该项目在细胞生物学和医学的纳米级应用方面具有变革潜力，包括分子级诊断和治疗。细胞之间的通信能力增强了应用范围。该项目的教育成果将包括课程开发、跨学科培训和认真监督的学生辅导。该项目正在开发新的分子级分布式计算架构，该架构由在细胞集合的膜表面上操作的DNA数字电路组成。每个电路的每个逻辑门都是一个DNA发夹纳米结构，拴在细胞表面的膜蛋白上。DNA电路接收输入和输出（例如，从或到细胞内或细胞上的分子、溶液缓冲介质、或来自其它细胞的DNA回路的DNA），并通过DNA链置换反应执行计算任务。此外，输出物在溶液中扩散到其他细胞，为不同细胞的DNA回路之间提供通信。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

The biological cell membrane is an interface to communicate with other cells and its environment. This project seeks to enable DNA-based molecular-scale devices to operate on the membrane of cells and to provide for communications between these devices on distinct cells. The project has transformative potential for nanoscale applications in cell biology and medicine, including molecular-scale diagnostics and therapeutics. The ability to communicate between cells enhances the range of applications. Educational outcomes of the project will include course development, cross-disciplinary training and carefully supervised mentoring of students. This project is developing novel molecular-scale distributed computational architectures consisting of DNA digital circuits that operate on the membrane surfaces of a collection of cells. Each logical gate of each circuit is a DNA hairpin nanostructure tethered to a membrane protein on a cell surface. The DNA circuits take inputs and outputs (e.g., from or to molecules within or on the cell, the solution buffer medium, or DNA from DNA circuits of other cells) and perform computation tasks via DNA strand-displacement reactions. Moreover the outputs diffuse in solution to other cells, providing for communication between the DNA circuits of distinct cells. The project tasks include design, simulations and experimental demonstrations.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.