Why sequential logic?

Cells are responsive to a myriad signals under most conditions and adjust their own internal mechanisms order to survive. This adjustment depends not only on processing a combination of current environmental signal inputs , but also on determining the cell’s current state, which is a result of a series of past inputs. In digital circuit theory, this operating mode is known as sequential logic. Nowadays, a wide variety of tasks can be performed by synthetically engineered genetic circuits, mostly constructed using combinational logic. Contrast to sequential logic, it's output is a function of the present input only. It is difficult to perform functions in a specific order, which has limited the widespread implementation of such systems. The ability of sequential logic circuits to store modest amounts of information within living systems and to act upon them would enable new approaches to the study and control of biological processes . A cell can be designed to do work that is more complex if it has more states. In other words, we can reach a new dimensionality in designing synthetic life – time.

Why sequential logic?

Cells are responsive to a myriad signals under most conditions and adjust their own internal mechanisms order to survive. This adjustment depends not only on processing a combination of current environmental signal inputs , but also on determining the cell’s current state, which is a result of a series of past inputs. In digital circuit theory, this operating mode is known as sequential logic. Nowadays, a wide variety of tasks can be performed by synthetically engineered genetic circuits, mostly constructed using combinational logic. Contrast to sequential logic, it's output is a function of the present input only. It is difficult to perform functions in a specific order, which has limited the widespread implementation of such systems. The ability of sequential logic circuits to store modest amounts of information within living systems and to act upon them would enable new approaches to the study and control of biological processes . A cell can be designed to do work that is more complex if it has more states. In other words, we can reach a new dimensionality in designing synthetic life – time.

Framework