Lyman Handy Colloquium

Programmable molecular sensors and switches: appications in metabolic engineering, intelligent therapeutics, and biosensorsPresented by:Professor Christina D. SmolkeDivision of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering California Institute of TechnologyABSTRACT
Cells employ a variety of different sensor biomolecules to dynamically evaluate their environments and trigger appropriate metabolic responses. The ability to program cells with engineered molecules that can sense structural and chemical events is a critical technology for many of the challenges that face us in biotechnology and medical research. Recent progress in the design of tailor-made molecular switches and sensors is rapidly advancing our ability to engineer ‘smart’ systems that will perform information processing or signal integration within cells or complex biological samples. I will discuss our work in the design a new class of nucleic acid-based molecular sensors that transform different types of informational input into biological function and their application in regulating complex cellular behavior. In particular, the application of these devices to metabolic engineering strategies for microbial alkaloid synthesis, targeted molecular therapies, and diagnostic devices will be addressed. **All first year materials science graduate students are required to attend**

Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Petra Pearce