Layered feedback control overcomes performance trade-off in synthetic biomolecular networks

Abstract

Layered feedback is an optimization strategy in feedback control designs widely used in engineering. Control theory suggests that layering multiple feedbacks could overcome the robustness-speed performance trade-off limit. In natural biological networks, genes are often regulated in layers to adapt to environmental perturbations. It is hypothesized layering architecture could also overcome the robustness-speed performance trade-off in genetic networks. In this work, we validate this hypothesis with a synthetic biomolecular network in living E. coli cells. We start with system dynamics analysis using models of various complexities to guide the design of a layered control architecture in living cells. Experimentally, we interrogate system dynamics under three groups of perturbations. We consistently observe that the layered control improves system performance in the robustness-speed domain. This work confirms that layered control could be adopted in synthetic biomolecular networks for performance optimization. It also provides insights into understanding genetic feedback control architectures in nature.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Sep 14, 2022
Source ID
10.1038/s41467-022-33058-6

Entities

People

  • Chelsea Y Hu
  • Richard M. Murray

Organizations

  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Computer Networking
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology