Molecular processor
A molecular processor is a processor that is built on a molecular scale rather than on a silicon chip integrated circuit.[1]
Current state of the technology
[edit | edit source]Molecular processors are currently in their infancy and currently only a few exist. At present a basic molecular processor is any biological or chemical system that uses a complementary DNA (cDNA) template to form a long chain amino acid molecule. A key factor that differentiates molecular processors is "the ability to control output" of protein or peptide concentration as a function of time. Simple formation of a molecule becomes the task of a chemical reaction, bioreactor or other polymerization technology. Current molecular processors take advantage of cellular processes to produce amino acide based proteins and peptides. The formation of a molecular processor currently involves integrating cDNA into the genome and should not replicate and re-insert, or be defined as a virus after insertion. Current molecular processors are replication incompetent, non-communicable and cannot be transmitted from cell to cell, animal to animal or human to human. All must have a method to differentiate or terminate, especially if implanted. The most effective methodology for insertion of cDNA (template with control mechanism) uses capsid technology to insert a payload into the genome. A viable molecular processor is one that dominates cellular function by re-task and or re-assignment but does not terminate the cell. It will continuously produce protein or produce on demand. Potential applications range from up-regulation of functional CFTR in Cystic Fibrosis to angiogenesis in cardiovascular stenosis to account for protein deficiency.[2].
Example
[edit | edit source]A vector inserted to form a molecular processor is described in part. The objective was to promote angiogenesis, blood vessel formation and improve cardiovasculature. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) cDNA was ligated to either side of an internal ribosomal re-entry site (IRES) to produce inline production of both the VEGF and EGFP proteins. After in vitro insertion engineered cells produce a bioluminescent marker and a chemotactic growth factor. In this instance, increased fluorescence of EGFP is used to show VEGF production in individual cells with active molecular processors. The production was exponential in nature and regulated through use of an intigrating promoter, cell numbers, the number of integrated units (IUs) of molecular processors and or cell numbers. The measure the molecular processors efficacy was performed by FC/FACS to indirectly measure VEGF through fluorescence intensity. Proof of functional molecular processing was quantified by ELISA to show VEGF effect through chemotactic and angiogensis models. The result involved directed assembly and coordination of endothelial cells for tubule formation by engineered cells on endothelial cells. The research goes on to show implantation and VEGF with dosage capabilities to promote revascularization, validating mechanisms of molecular processor control.[3][4]
Notes
[edit | edit source]- ↑ James Niccolai, "Moving toward molecular chips," PC World, July 20, 1999
- ↑ Russell Auger., Mesenchymal stromal cells as angiogenic cellular vectors., Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, Presentation 03.2004.
- ↑ Russell Auger, PhD., Mesenchymal stromal cells as angiogenic cellular vectors for revascularizing the heart., 08.2006: PhD Thesis Publication available at Tulane University Library and through UMI Copyright 2006-2007.
- ↑ www.aurides.com