Cellular Gate Technology

Abstract

We propose a biochemically plausible mechanism for constructing digital logic signals and gates of significant complexity within living cells. These mechanisms rely largely on co-opting existing biochemical machinery and binding proteins found naturally within the cell, replacing difficult protein engineering problems with more straightforward engineering of novel combinations of gene control sequences and gene coding regions. The resulting logic technology, although slow, allows us to engineer the chemical behavior of cells for use as sensors and effectors. One promising use of such technology is the control of fabrication processes at the molecular scale.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA458730

Entities

People

  • Gerald J. Sussman
  • Thomas F. Knight

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Biology
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cells
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Equations
  • Genetic Code
  • Genetics
  • Logic Gates
  • Molecular Biology
  • Molecular Electronics
  • Mrna

Readers

  • Computer Engineering
  • Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
  • Molecular Genetics

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology