Team:UCSF

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Untitled Document

Engineering Motile Cellular Robots


Abstract

Some eukaryotic cells, such as white blood cells, have the amazing ability to sense specific external chemical signals and move toward those signals. This behavior, known as chemotaxis, is a fundamental biological process crucial to such diverse functions as development, wound healing and immune response. In our project, we used a synthetic biology approach to manipulate signaling pathways that mediate chemotaxis in two model organisms:
HL-60 (neutrophil-like) cells and the slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum.

In doing so, we have demonstrated that we can regulate both the navigation and speed of our cells, as well as harness their ability to carry a payload.

Through our manipulations, we hope to better understand how these systems work, and eventually to build or reprogram cells that can perform useful tasks. Imagine, for example, therapeutic nanorobots that could home to a directed site in the body and execute complex, user-defined functions (e.g., kill tumors, deliver drugs, guide stem cell migration and differentiation). Alternatively, imagine bioremediation nanorobots that could find and retrieve toxic substances. Such cellular robots could be revolutionary biotechnological tools.

More...

 

 

BUILDING CELL-BOTS

Introduction

Step 1 - Engineering NAVIGATION

Step 2 - Engineering SPEED

Step 3 - Carrying a PAYLOAD

Our Vision for the Future

 

 

OUR TEAM

Team Members

Notebooks

Summer Experience

Human Practices

NEW BIOBRICK Standard RFC28 - Aar1 Cloning System

Parts submitted to the Registry

GOLD MEDAL Requisites

 






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