Distributed biological computation with multicellular engineered networks.

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology
• Systems biology
• Computational biology

Background:

• Current synthetic biology efforts focus on creating artificial computational devices using engineered biological units.
• Implementing complex Boolean logic computations with biological parts faces challenges in wiring logic gates, typically requiring specific molecular connections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel approach for implementing complex Boolean logic computations in synthetic biology.
• To reduce wiring constraints in biological circuit design through redundant output distribution among engineered cells.

Main Methods:

• Developed a library of engineered yeast cells, where each construct defines a specific logic function.
• Combined these engineered yeast cells and their connections to build more complex synthetic devices.
• Demonstrated the implementation of various logic functions, multiplexers, and a 1-bit adder with carry.

Main Results:

• Successfully implemented numerous logic functions using a small set of engineered yeast cells.
• Showcased the re-utilization of circuit parts through minor modifications and combinations.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of creating complex circuits like multiplexers and adders.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method offers a logically distinct way to implement complex Boolean logic computations.
• Redundant output distribution among engineered cells effectively reduces wiring constraints.
• Cellular consortia represent an efficient strategy for engineering complex biological tasks, overcoming limitations of single-cell implementations.