title: Towards combinatorial transcriptional engineering.
abstract: The modular nature of the transcriptional unit makes it possible to design robust modules with predictable input-output characteristics using a ‘parts- off a shelf’ approach. Customized regulatory circuits composed of multiple such transcriptional units have immense scope for application in diverse fields of basic and applied research. Synthetic transcriptional engineering seeks to construct such genetic cascades. Here, we discuss the three principle strands of transcriptional engineering: promoter and transcriptional factor engineering, and programming inducibilty into synthetic modules. In this context, we review the scope and limitations of some recent technologies that seek to achieve these ends. Our discussion emphasizes a requirement for rational combinatorial engineering principles and the promise this approach holds for the future development of this field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India. Electronic address: rmehrotra@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mehrotra
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Renganaath
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Harsh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanodia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Loake
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Sandhya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehrotra
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000639:trends*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks / Q000235:genetics; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D058615:Synthetic Biology / Q000639:trends*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: CRISPR; Gene expression; Promoters; Synthetic biology; Tale; Transcription factors; Transcriptional engineering