We explore the use of de novo designed riboriboregulators known as toehold switches to drive recombinase-based logic in cell-free TX-TL systems. We anticipate applications in point-of-care diagnostic technologies such as those for Zika and Ebola developed by the Collins group at MIT, targeted at diseases with RNA profiles that are more computationally demanding, such as cancer.
Here, our smartest and most handsome team member Stephen poses with his lovely Raggedy-Ann doll and stares forlornly at the earth beneath him.