Final Report Summary - CELLCONTROL (Synthetic regulatory circuits for programmable control of cell physiology)
The project CellControl, “Synthetic regulatory circuits for programmable control of cell physiology”, focused on the development of next-generation synthetic biology tools to control cells using transcriptional regulation. Transcription regulators (or transcription factors) are major players that determine cell fate. Their malfunction is often related to diseases including cancer. Therefore, there was a strong need to create artificial genetic systems that could sense and respond to complex combinations of transcription regulators in mammalian cells. The project achieved its objectives, resulting in the development of multiple novel approaches to cell control using transcription factors as inputs. The main outcomes, among others, include a first of its kind gradual positive feedback amplifier of transcriptional signals, and a groundbreaking method to respond to specific combinations of transcriptional inputs. The tools developed in the project are now being translated into medical treatments.