[Progress in research of genetic circuits]

Abstract

Genetic circuits are collections of basic elements that interact to produce a particular behavior. By constructing biochemical logic circuits and embedding them in cells, one can extend or modify the behavior of cells. To date, several small synthetic gene networks have been built that accomplish specific genetic regulatory functions in vivo: the autorepressor, in which a repressor regulates its own production to reduce noise in gene expression; the toggle-switch, in which two repressors inhibit each other's production to achieve a bistable system; the repressilator, in which three repressors are connected in a ring topology to produce repeated oscillation. "Rational" and "directed evolution" are currently used Genetic-circuit design tools. Someday we may be able to program cell behavior as easily as we program computers.