Mitigating Resource Burden of Heterologous Biomolecular Circuits in Escherichia Cell

Synthetic biology, particularly in therapeutics, depend on the production of specific proteins through combinations of modified genes inserted into cells, such as bacteria. However, when these inserted genes are activated, they consume resources that would otherwise be used by the host cell for its regular activities. This competition for resources can harm the host cell, potentially causing the failure of the entire system. The project aims to alleviate the strain on cells caused by the competition for resources, especially ribosomes, between natural cellular processes and synthetic genetic circuits in synthetic biological systems.

To achieve this goal, the project proposes four fundamental objectives. 

• Develop mathematical models to quantify the stress imposed on cells by implemented genetic circuits. 
• Characterize functional maps that link genotypes to the resource demands of gene expression using machine learning techniques. 
• Aim to apply these principles to design synthetic biological systems that are robust against cellular burden by studying the regulatory pathways that natural organisms have evolved to cope with various stresses.