Multicellular artificial neural network-type architectures demonstrate computational problem solving.

Here, we report a modular multicellular system created by mixing and matching discrete engineered bacterial cells. This system can be designed to solve multiple computational decision problems. The modular system is based on a set of engineered bacteria that are modeled as an 'artificial neurosynapse' that, in a coculture, formed a single-layer artificial neural network-type architecture that can perform computational tasks.

Synthetic Genetic Reversible Feynman Gate in a Single Cell and Its Application in Bacterial to Mammalian Cell Information Transfer.

Reversible computing is a nonconventional form of computing where the inputs and outputs are mapped in a unique one-to-one fashion. Reversible logic gates in single living cells have not been demonstrated. Here, we constructed a synthetic genetic reversible Feynman gate in single cells, and the input-output relations were measured in a clonal population.

A single layer artificial neural network type architecture with molecular engineered bacteria for reversible and irreversible computing.

Here, we adapted the basic concept of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and experimentally demonstrate a broadly applicable single layer ANN type architecture with molecular engineered bacteria to perform complex irreversible computing like multiplexing, de-multiplexing, encoding, decoding, majority functions, and reversible computing like Feynman and Fredkin gates. The encoder and majority functions and reversible computing were experimentally implemented within living cells for the first time. We created cellular devices, which worked as artificial neuro-synapses in bacteria, where input chemical signals were linearly combined and processed through a non-linear activation function to produce fluorescent protein outputs.

Distributed Computing with Engineered Bacteria and Its Application in Solving Chemically Generated 2 × 2 Maze Problems.

This work presented an application of genetic distributed computing, where an abstract computational problem was mapped on a complex truth table and solved using simple genetic circuits distributed among various cell populations. Maze generating and solving are challenging problems in mathematics and computing. Here, we mapped all the input-output matrices of a 2 × 2 mathematical maze on a 4-input-4-output truth table.

Application of CRISPR-Cas systems in neuroscience.

CRISPR-Cas systems have, over the years, emerged as indispensable tools for Genetic interrogation in contexts of clinical interventions, elucidation of genetic pathways and metabolic engineering and have pervaded almost every aspect of modern biology. Within this repertoire, the nervous system comes with its own set of perplexities and mysteries. Scientists have, over the years, tried to draw up a clearer genetic picture of the neuron and how it functions in a network, mainly in an endeavor to mitigate diseases of the human nervous system like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), etc.

Design, Fabrication, and Device Chemistry of a 3-Input-3-Output Synthetic Genetic Combinatorial Logic Circuit with a 3-Input AND Gate in a Single Bacterial Cell.

Advancement of in-cell molecular computation requires multi-input-multi-output genetic logic devices. However, increased physical size, a higher number of molecular interactions, cross-talk, and complex systems level device chemistry limited the realization of such multi-input-multi-output devices in a single bacterial cell. Here, by adapting a circuit minimization and conjugated promoter engineering approach, we created the first 3-input-3-output logic function in a single bacterial cell.

A frame-shifted gene, which rescued its function by non-natural start codons and its application in constructing synthetic gene circuits.

Background: Frame-shifted genes results in non-functional peptides. Because of this complete loss of function, frame-shifted genes have never been used in constructing synthetic gene circuits.

Results: Here we report that the function of gene circuits is rescued by a frame-shifted gene, which functions by translating from a non-natural start codon.