A multi-functional synthetic gene network: a frequency multiplier, oscillator and switch.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 21359152.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0016140 and PMC identifier 3040778.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
We present the design and analysis of a synthetic gene network that performs frequency multiplication. It takes oscillatory transcription factor concentrations, such as those produced from the currently available genetic oscillators, as an input, and produces oscillations with half the input frequency as an output. Analysis of the bifurcation structure also reveals novel, programmable multi-functionality; in addition to functioning as a frequency multiplier, the network is able to function as a switch or an oscillator, depending on the temporal nature of the input. Multi-functionality is often observed in neuronal networks, where it is suggested to allow for the efficient coordination of different responses. This network represents a significant theoretical addition that extends the capabilities of synthetic gene networks.
Medical subject headings
- Biological Clocks
- Gene Frequency
- Gene Regulatory Networks
- Genes, Switch
- Genes, Synthetic