A synthetic multicellular system for programmed pattern formation - Basu et al, 2005

Pattern formation

Examples

Amorphous Computing 1. How do we obtain coherent behaviour from the cooperation of large numbers of unreliable parts that are interconnected in unknown, irregular, and time-varying ways? 2. What are the methods for instructing myriads of programmable entities to cooperate to achieve particular goals?

Principle Sender cell

Principle Black Box Input AHL Output GFP

High-detect component Low-detect component Principle High-detect component Input AHL Output GFP Low-detect component

High-detect component Low-detect component Principle High-detect component Output GFP Low-detect component

High-detect component Low-detect component Principle High-detect component +AHL Output GFP Low-detect component

High-detect component Low-detect component Principle High-detect component +AHL Output GFP Low-detect component

High-detect component Low-detect component Principle High-detect component ++AHL Output GFP Low-detect component

High-detect component Low-detect component Principle High-detect component ++AHL Output GFP Low-detect component

Principle Sender cell

Receiver Cell pLux pLux pλ pLac

Model + Data High Threshold Device Threshold Hypersensitive Wild type Low copy no.

Model + Data

Model + Data WT LuxI Unstable LuxI

Higher conc range and lower conc range Model + Data Higher conc range and lower conc range

But, how much control do they have? Conclusion Illustrated a way to achieve pattern formation using a chemical signal and genetic circuits to obtain coherent behaviour. Examined the system dynamics and how the band of detection could be tuned. But, how much control do they have? How complex can the patterns be made?

Discussion

Discussion