Synthetic biology

Cells as living calculatorsUsing analog computation circuits, MIT engineers design cells that can compute logarithms, divide and take square roots.

Cell circuits remember their historyMIT engineers design new synthetic biology circuits that combine memory and logic.

MIT team builds most complex synthetic biology circuit yetNew sensor can detect four different molecules, could be used to program cells to precisely monitor their environments.

Researchers build a toolbox for synthetic biologyEngineers design new proteins that can help control novel genetic circuits in cells.

Genetic 911: Cells’ emergency systems revealedStudy examines how cells exploit gene sequences to cope with toxic stress.

Toying with biological systemsBy swapping microbial genes, Chris Voigt designs cells with novel functions.

Building biology, one cartoon at a time

Mimicking cells with transistorsAnalog — rather than digital — circuits could enable models of biological systems that are more efficient, more accurate and easier to build.

Killing a cancer cell from the inside outSynthetic biologists design a gene circuit that, when delivered to cancer cells, forces them to commit suicide.

Scientists unveil tools for rewriting the code of lifeNew technology from MIT and Harvard can edit DNA at the genome scale, giving cells novel functions.