Team:ETH Zurich/expresults/diffusion

From 2014.igem.org

Revision as of 10:58, 17 October 2014 by Mbahls (Talk | contribs)

Diffusion On Chip

Our project aims for the biological implementation of cellular automata with XOR logic gates. In order to achieve this, we had to find a way to create a regular grid of cells with a defined, optimal neighborhood. This means channel length, well size, and medium had to be optimized and properties were modelled with Matlab and Comsol whenever feasible (ref). With that in silico results we used CAD software to design our custom made mold, which where then 3D-printed and used for the production of PDMS molds (ref). The cells containing our gene circuitry were encapsulated in alginate beads and loaded on the millifluidic chip (ref). This approach allowed us to establish a method for measuring diffusion and cell-to-cell communication. In particular, a step towards the emergence of complex patters by cell-to-cell communication was shown. Also the Comsol model regarding pattern formation was confirmed experimentally (ref). The final time-lapse video of the simulation and the experiment is shown below in video 1.

Video 1