Synthetic genetic circuits offer the potential to wield computational control over biology, but their complexity is limited by the accuracy of mathematical models. Here, we present advances that enable the complete encoding of an electronic chip in the DNA carried by Escherichia coli (E. coli). The chip is a binary-coded digit (BCD) to 7-segment decoder, associated with clocks and calculators, to turn on segments to visualize 0-9. Design automation is used to build seven strains, each of which contains a circuit with up to 12 repressors and two activators (totaling 63 regulators and 76,000 bp DNA). The inputs to each circuit represent the digit to be displayed (encoded in binary by four molecules), and output is the segment state, reported as fluorescence. Implementation requires an advanced gate model that captures dynamics, promoter interference, and a measure of total power usage (RNAP flux). This project is an exemplar of design automation pushing engineering beyond that achievable "by hand", essential for realizing the potential of biology.

中文翻译：

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对大肠杆菌进行编程，使其充当数字显示器。


合成遗传电路提供了对生物学进行计算控制的潜力，但其复杂性受到数学模型准确性的限制。在这里，我们展示了能够在大肠杆菌 (E. coli) 携带的 DNA 中完整编码电子芯片的进展。该芯片是一个二进制编码数字 (BCD) 至 7 段解码器，与时钟和计算器相关，可打开段以可视化 0-9。设计自动化用于构建 7 个菌株，每个菌株都包含一个具有多达 12 个阻遏蛋白和两个激活蛋白的电路（总共 63 个调节蛋白和 76,000 bp DNA）。每个电路的输入代表要显示的数字（由四个分子以二进制编码），输出是段状态，报告为荧光。实施需要一个先进的门模型来捕获动态、启动子干扰和总功率使用量（RNAP 通量）的测量。该项目是设计自动化的典范，推动工程超越“手工”所能实现的范围，这对于实现生物学的潜力至关重要。