Difference between revisions of "Team:UCL"

Trying to reliably engineer cell structures?

Yes, we know it’s difficult.

How about adding some precision to targeting and controlling cellular mechanisms?

Our proposal is to design modular optogenetic control systems that provide spatiotemporal control, with applications ranging from tissue engineering to architecture. The aim is to trigger and control immediate cell adhesion responses in both bacterial and mammalian cells. Controlling the SpyTag-SpyCatcher link formation through light will ensure precise bacterial cell adhesion. The formed structure will act as a scaffold for producing durable polymers from the cells, such as PHA. In mammalian cells, we are using light to control cadherin inhibitors and to generate cell structures resembling epithelia. The light control system will also selectively activate genes involved in the de-differentiation of mammalian cells (e.g. genes for the transcription factors Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4) . In the future, the precise spatiotemporal control of gene expression will enable reliable construction of any biological structure.