HTGAA Class IV: Measurement + Imaging

​Why do we need analytic tools for synthetic projects? The tools for synthetic biology have grown incredibly powerful: DNA synthesis, genome engineering, synthetic cells, directed evolution, cell-free systems, metabolic engineering, and nanomaterial science. However, these tools only cover the second half of the "read/write" cycle. In this class, we will discuss the rationale for developing measurement technologies ("read") to complement these engineering tools ("write"), so that we can understand the effects of our bioengineering efforts and make new products that resemble and/or offer novel functionalities compared to real biological systems.

​The lab will be divided into two sections: First, a theoretical-historical framework for understanding measurement technologies in the life sciences. Second, a review of emerging single cell & spatial sequencing technologies. We will focus predominantly on in situ detection of single molecules (in situ is latin for "in place," referring to detection of molecules in their native spatial arrangement in cells/tissues), including Fluorescent In Situ Sequencing (FISSEQ).