title: Programmable genetic circuits for pathway engineering.
abstract: Synthetic biology has the potential to provide decisive advances in genetic control of metabolic pathways. However, there are several challenges that synthetic biologists must overcome before this vision becomes a reality. First, a library of diverse and well-characterized sensors, such as metabolite-sensing or condition-sensing promoters, must be constructed. Second, robust programmable circuits that link input conditions with a specific gene regulation response must be developed. Finally, multi-gene targeting strategies must be integrated with metabolically relevant sensors and complex, robust logic. Achievements in each of these areas, which employ the CRISPR/Cas system, in silico modeling, and dynamic sensor-regulators, among other tools, provide a strong basis for future research. Overall, the future for synthetic biology approaches in metabolic engineering holds immense promise.
authors: Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
authors: Allison
authors: A
authors: Hoynes-O'Connor
authors: Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. Electronic address: tsmoon@wustl.edu.
authors: Tae Seok
authors: TS
authors: Moon
mesh_terms: D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D018390:Gene Targeting; D060847:Metabolic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000235:genetics; D058615:Synthetic Biology / Q000379:methods