DNA Writers and Molecular Recorders: Emerging Tools for In Vivo Genetic Information Processing
This review surveys advances in dynamic genome-engineering technologies that enable writing and recording information directly in living cell DNA. Applications include molecular recorders that log cellular events as heritable DNA changes, enabling retrospective lineage tracing and environmental sensing. These technologies have implications for next-generation biosensors and diagnostic circuits that could detect disease biomarkers autonomously within cells.
The original study
Emerging applications for DNA writers and molecular recorders.
- Authors
- Farzadfard F, Lu TK
- Journal
- Science (New York, N.Y.)
- Type
- Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review
- PMID
- 30166483
Original abstract
Natural life is encoded by evolvable, DNA-based memory. Recent advances in dynamic genome-engineering technologies, which we collectively refer to as in vivo DNA writing, have opened new avenues for investigating and engineering biology. This Review surveys these technological advances, outlines their prospects and emerging applications, and discusses the features and current limitations of these technologies for building various genetic circuits for processing and recording information in living cells.