Synthetic biology is an exciting new field that aims to create novel biological functions by artificially combining natural molecular parts. Rational design allows us to engineer the behaviors of protein-based drugs, in ways that we cannot accomplish with small molecule-based drugs. DNA assembly will be used to build a combinatorial library of over 200 synthetic transcription factors (Pc-Tfs) that will potentially activate therapeutic genes in cancer and stem cells. As time allows, a select group of Pc-TF protein will be purified and analyzed biochemically.
Notes
Brady Laughlin's Spring 2012 project in the Haynes Lab at Arizona State University