Fabrication of Autonomously Constructed Engineered Three-dimensional Shapes (FACETS)

Abstract

Major Goals: The project consists of two phases. In Phase 1, the objective was to explore design approaches for genetically programming a single cell line to give rise to a multicellular system with a predetermined three-dimensional form. In Phase 2 was to design and build tunable control of three-dimensional form in a clonal cell population, with differentiated surfaces. Phase 1 objectives included modeling and simulation, circuit design and construction, experiments, and a demo of three-dimensional sizes and shapes that are stable for at least 1 week under optimal growth/differentiation. Phase 1 simulation objectives included development of theoretical models that bridge developmental biology and synthetic biology objectives to achieve programmed development of morphology in an expanding clonal cell population. Potential issues in design were identified (see discussion below) and simulations were adjusted based on experimental data. Phase 1 objectives also included circuit design, construction, and experiments for interior / exterior circuits and other morphology circuits. Phase 2 objectives included modeling and simulation, circuit design and construction, experiments, and a demonstration of programmed forms that are stable in size and shape over a minimum period of 1 week under optimal growth/differentiation conditions. Simulations and modeling objectives included creating of a shape compiler for fast and accurate modeling. Phase 2 theoretical modeling objects were to predict points and potential mechanisms of control of morphology development. Simulations were Adjusted based on experimental data to refine predictions, including new objectives for cell-sorting based shape and image analysis. Phase 2 circuit objectives included design, construction, and experiments of both shape selection and facet selection circuits.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 15, 2019
Accession Number
AD1112403

Entities

People

  • Ron Weiss

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Compilers
  • Computer Programming
  • Construction
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Culture Techniques
  • Developmental Biology
  • Engineering
  • Experimental Data
  • Experimental Design
  • Fabrication
  • Gene Expression
  • Oscillation
  • Oscillators
  • Production
  • Small Molecules
  • Stem Cells
  • Students
  • Synthetic Biology
  • Three Dimensional

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology