Princeton:Project Summary

From 2006.igem.org

PROGRAMMED DIFFERENTIATION OF MOUSE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS USING ARTIFICIAL SIGNALING PATHWAYS

Our vision is to develop reliable techniques for programmed tissue generation in mammalian systems. Our iGEM2006 work encompasses artificial cell-cell signaling and signal processing, directed differentiation, pattern formation, modeling and precise cellular placement.

MAMMALIAN SYSTEMS

Senders and Receivers

In order for cell-cell communication to occur, we are designing a sender-receiver system based on the LuxI-LuxR pathway. This detection pathway is responsive to acyl homoserine lactone (AHL). Cells engineered to be senders synthesize and secrete AHL which rapidly diffuses across the cellular membrane. Receivers detect the presence of AHL and react, depending on the programmed response of the cells. In our multiplexed system, senders and receivers are separate populations of engineered cells. In our quorum sensing systems, the engineered cells are both senders and receivers.