Minimizing interference due to genetic manipulation

Synthetic gene networks are the functional genetic 'programs' that will form the basis of increasingly sophisticated engineered organisms, cells and tissues. Important factors to consider in biologically engineering circuits are modularity and orthogonality of the components. We explore these factors experimentally by using TALEs as a synthetic transcription factor. We also designed an algorithm to find optimal locations to insert synthetic gene networks into the cell so that interference is minimized and orthogonality is maximized. Finally, we developed a method for encrypting and decrypting these genetic 'programs' for the protection of intellectual property. Together these projects explore ways of minimizing unwanted effects due to genetic manipulation.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Wang, Jerry S

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Timothy K. Lu.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/85518

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/85518