Organised Natural Structures Using Synthetic Biology

Engineering living organisms that can be utilized in a variety of applications (e.g. valuable compound biosynthesis, applications in materials) is now the main focus of the novel field of Synthetic Biology. The idea is to take advantage of S.cerevisiae’s unique growth and adhesion characteristics to create cell patterns such as fractal formations that are interesting and useful. Specifically, we are implementing novel gene networks that control S.cerevisiae’s budding behavior to induce pseudohyphal growth in both haploid and diploid strains. Through the characterization and genetic control of the key natural regulators that control pseudohyphal growth we aim to reprogram cells to grow in controllable branched fractal patterns. For a true fractal pattern to occur, cells are needed to differentiate as the colonies grow and therefore novel regulatory mechanisms to control the timing and/or location where genes are switched on and off are being implemented. By controlling cell patterns available surface area is also controlled affecting the availability of growth media, oxygen and other factors to the organism. Ultimately, unique applications in fields such as biomaterials and metabolic engineering are enabled.