1st course in the Engineering Genetic Circuits Specialization

Instructor: Chris Myers, PhD, 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: 4 hours

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: 7 hours

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: 4 hours

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: 2 hours

This week introduces practical challenges in realizing genetic circuit designs. 

Duration: 2 hours 

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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 Grade 
Minimum Percentage

A

93%

A-

90%

B+

86%

B

83%

B-

80%

C+

76%

C

73%

C-

70%

D+

66%

D

60%

F

0%