title: Paper-based synthetic gene networks.
abstract: Synthetic gene networks have wide-ranging uses in reprogramming and rewiring organisms. To date, there has not been a way to harness the vast potential of these networks beyond the constraints of a laboratory or in vivo environment. Here, we present an in vitro paper-based platform that provides an alternate, versatile venue for synthetic biologists to operate and a much-needed medium for the safe deployment of engineered gene circuits beyond the lab. Commercially available cell-free systems are freeze dried onto paper, enabling the inexpensive, sterile, and abiotic distribution of synthetic-biology-based technologies for the clinic, global health, industry, research, and education. For field use, we create circuits with colorimetric outputs for detection by eye and fabricate a low-cost, electronic optical interface. We demonstrate this technology with small-molecule and RNA actuation of genetic switches, rapid prototyping of complex gene circuits, and programmable in vitro diagnostics, including glucose sensors and strain-specific Ebola virus sensors.
authors.affiliation: Wyss Institute for Biological Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center of Synthetic Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pardee
authors.affiliation: Wyss Institute for Biological Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center of Synthetic Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Wyss Institute for Biological Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center of Synthetic Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
authors.forename: D Ewen
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.affiliation: Wyss Institute for Biological Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DaleyKeyser
authors.affiliation: Wyss Institute for Biological Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Wyss Institute for Biological Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center of Synthetic Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA. Electronic address: jcollins@bu.edu.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D002474:Cell-Free System; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010209:Paper; D058615:Synthetic Biology