ECEA 5934 Design

1st course in the Engineering Genetic Circuits Specialization

Instructor: Chris Myers,ÌýPhD, Professor

This course gives an introduction to the biology and biochemistry necessary to understand genetic circuits. It starts by providing an engineering viewpoint on genetic circuit design and a review of cells and their structure. The second module introduces genetic parts and the importance of standards followed by a discussion of genetic devices used within circuit design. The last two modules cover experimental techniques and construction methods and principles applied during the design process.

Learning Outcomes

  • Discover the field of synthetic biology through a brief examination of its history.
  • Identify basic parts used in genetic circuits.
  • Describe sequence ontologies and principles behind standards in engineering.
  • Identify the underlying structure of devices and their connection to genetic parts.
  • Design genetic circuits that execute combinational digital logic functions.
  • Design genetic circuits that execute sequential digital logic functions.
  • Distinguish between different experimental techniques used in genetic construction.
  • Describe alternative assembly and DNA synthesis methods for genetic circuit construction.
  • Outline areas of future work for the field.
  • Describe alternative design styles that can help overcome design challenges.
  • Identify ways genetic circuits may fail to perform correctly.

Syllabus

Duration: 4Ìýhours

This week gives a brief introduction to the biology and biochemistry necessary to understand genetic circuits. The material covered is only a basic overview, since it is usually the topic of whole courses. It should, however, give the grounding necessary to begin studying the modeling, analysis, and design of genetic circuits.

Duration: 7Ìýhours

This week highlights the importance of standards in synthetic biology as an engineering discipline. Furthermore, the week introduces genetic parts - the basic building used to construct genetic circuits.

Duration: 3 hours

This week introduces genetic devices, the aggregation of multiple genetic parts. Basic rules for composing, as well as different types of devices, are introduced, as well.

Duration: 4Ìýhours

This week introduces techniques used to construct a genetic circuit. This includes commonly used methods like polymerase chain reaction for cloning and DNA assembly methods. Finally, construction methods to assemble different genetic parts are presented.

Duration: 2Ìýhours

This week introduces practical challenges in realizing genetic circuit designs.Ìý

Duration: 2ÌýhoursÌý

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Grading

Assignment

Percentage of Grade

Instructions of accessing reading materials

1%

Brief Introduction to Biochemistry

2%

Resources

2%

SBOL Data Model

2%

Genetic Part Selection

5%

Basic Device Rules

2%

Genetic Logic Identification

2%

Genetic Device Design

10%

Experimental Techniques

2%

Genetic Construction Planning

10%

Potential Genetic Design Problems

2%

Genetic Circuit Design Final Project

60%


Letter Grade Rubric

Letter GradeÌý
Minimum Percentage

A

93%

A-

90%

B+

86%

B

83%

B-

80%

C+

76%

C

73%

C-

70%

D+

66%

D

60%

F

0%