Software

Design

In our project, software is one of the key components that allow the public to access synthetic biology without wet-lab experience. It is impossible for everyone to learn how to construct a plasmid or complete a molecular clone in a bio-lab. So our software is designed for who have great ideas on using biological components to fit their needs and want to get rid of doing tremendous works in wet-lab. Furthermore, people with no biological background have access to design their own biological circuits!With the help of our software, users can complete a real genetic circuits only by selecting several standard parts and linking them. We expect the user with different backgrounds will contribute many amazing designs, which significantly explore the potential of genetic circuits to solve practical problems.

Database

Since different users may use specific parts for their own tasks, we establish a database which collects the parts submitted by users. These parts and designs will be saved in our database and published to every user, therefore future users can refer to previous design if they are meeting with similar problems. Also, we will provide some basic parts for people who don't have mature thoughts or are limited to design functional parts. To enrich our database information, we wrote a Python crawler which can crawl the relevant parts information on the IGEM website. Most of them are well-tested parts that can be used directly.

As soon as the circuits are uploaded, they will be automatically programmed by hardware. Users will get the results of their designs, as well as suggestion on how to improve their circuits. Users can freely add descriptions, retrieve and comment on each part after experimental data feedback. According to their comments, we will test mentioned parts whether are worked or not, which helps us improve our database.Thus, both users and part contributors can improve their circuit and parts. They can constantly perfect their design and our database.

Interface

Another part of software is for public to design the product like playing a computer game. Users will feel comfortable to use the brief user interface by dragging the elements of the circuit and combining them freely on the computer to build their own bio-products, which really solves the problems close to our life, as well as stimulating new ideas about synthetic biology. As soon as the circuits from the game software are uploaded, they will be automatically programmed through 3D printing machine. The public can confirm the feasibility of the design without engaging the experiments by themselves. Finally, users will get the results of their designs, as well as suggestion on how to improve their circuits. We implement the non-biologists’idea by using the user interface and auto 3D printing program, which improving public participation in synthetic biology and instructing us to perfect our project.

In summary, our software not only directly interacts with users, but also can achieve self-improvement. Together with hardware, it makes the synthetic biology ideas from non-biologists come true.

Video on How to Use Software

The following four videos show how to use our software.