Objective: To support rapid and efficient cell engineering through the development of compact and modular molecular tools for building genetic control systems and the requisite computational models and theory to guide their design.

Why? Delivery of large genetic cargoes limits the efficiency of cellular engineering. Thus, our work is focused on the design of highly-compact genetic tools with a minimal genomic footprint.

Challenges. Co-localization of multiple transcriptional units provides a simple method of compact design. However, co-localization introduces the potential for physical coupling between transcriptional units. To capture this coupling, we developed a framework for integrating traditional biochemical gene regulation with the biophysical effects of DNA supercoiling into a unified model.

Vision. With this framework, we are designing genetic controllers and dynamic circuits including toggle switches, oscillators, and pulse-generators for optimal performance including noise-rejection.