Transcriptional Cascade

Transcriptional cascades can be seen as temporal programs of successive gene expression [4]. This gene configurations (or circuits) have the capability to integrate signals and trigger events after a delay from the initial detection event. As described before, such characteristic is needed in our project; therefore we considered two approaches based on transcriptional cascades. After some preliminary analysis, the approach termed negative synthetic transcriptional cascade was chosen to be developed.

Preliminary approaches

Negative transcriptional cascade

Based on the work of Hooshangi S et al 2005 [4] and the project requirements, the scheme was proposed.

Protein 1 starts the circuit activating (or repressing the repressor of) the promoter of gene 2, for proof of concept gene 1 can be changed for a signal molecule. The concentration of protein 2 will increase and achieve the threshold concentration to repress gene 3. At this point... more.

Positive transcriptional cascade

Based on the book of Uri Alone [5] and the project requirements, the scheme was proposed.

Protein 1 starts the circuit activating the promoter of gene 2, for proof of concept gene 1 can be changed for a signal molecule. The concentration of protein 2 will increase and achieve the threshold concentration to induce gene 3. As the concentration of protein 3 increases,.... more.

Synthetic Transcriptional Cascade: The plan

Comparing advantages and disadvantages for both approaches (mainly the leaky problems), the negative synthetic transcriptional cascade was selected. more.

Results

Results

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