Homework
Weekly homework submissions:
Week 1 HW: Principles and Practices
- “An application of synthetic biology that I recently found out about, and I’m really excited for, is partial cellular reprogramming.” It’s achieved by inducing the expression of factors called “Yamanaka factors”, which enable a cell to regain a pluripotent state in which DNA methylation patterns and chromatin architecture are reset to a younger state in a “rejuvenation” process that enhances health and lifespan for individuals. (1, 2) Recently, a treatment intended to treat optic neuropathies based on this mechanism was approved by the FDA for its first clinical trials; this treatment consists of an AAV2 vector that carries the Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 factors. Systemic doxycycline administration is needed for almost two months to activate OSK expression. (3) What if we could engineer a self-regulated genetic circuit that, by utilizing biosensors, detects aging or disease markers like transcription factors that enhance senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs), and thus activates itself and begins rewiring? To ensure non-malfeasance, the system incorporates a failsafe kill switch as a safety module that induces apoptosis if the cell loses its differentiated identity or if markers of full pluripotency, such as Nanog, are detected, to reduce the risk of cancer. By the time a “safe-by-design” technology like this becomes approved and available to the general public, there must be some important regulations upheld.
Week 2 HW: Read, write and edit DNA
Includes question solving as preparation
Using Python to run Opentrons liquid handling robot
Weeek 4 HW: Protein design - Part 1
Exploring the world of AI
Week 5 HW: Protein design - Part 2
Using the latest tools to develop binders, treatments and more
Week 6 HW: Genetic Cirucuits - Part 1
Learning about the juxtaposition of electrical engineering and biology, also getting to know creative tools and standard protocols of the field.
Week 07 HW: Genetic circuits II
Sorry, I will update this later, I have been really bussy this last two weeks
Putting the "engineering" in biology,
Week 10 HW: Advance imaging & measurement technology
Underscovered yet :D