Engineered DNA counts it out - Man-made gene network can tally a series of three

Researchers have built a series of genes and placed them into bacterial cells to enable them to tally events. It is predicted that these new counters may give cells functions that were previously though to be impossible. These engineered counters can be used to either monitor toxins in the environment or keep track of the number of times a cell divides. This technology enables the system to be programmed count a certain number of events and then destroy the cell after this number is reached.

Although there was concern that growing programmed or genetically modified cells could pose a danger to the environment or humans, the built in destroy or ‘kill’ mechanism creates greater control over the spread of introduced genes into organisms.

The counting occurs either through starting and stopping the production of either proteins or enzymes which are induced by sugar pulses. The system involving proteins may be used for counting quick events such as those that occur every 30 minutes or so however the second, involving enzymes, allows scientists to see each step as they occur.

The proteins produced after the counting is complete may be made to change the shape or colour of the cell or explode the cell completely. It is said that these new capabilities offer many possibilities but there is still much research to be done, as the process does not always work.

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Link: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/44251/title/Engineered_DNA_counts_it_out