MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Fall 2003 Catalogue Supplement

6.971 Engineering Simple Biological Systems (H)

Dr. Tom Knight, Room NE43-818, 3-7807
Prereq.: permission of instructor
3-0-9

Living systems are the most intricate and functional nanostructured systems in existence. Their ability to self-replicate and evolve is unique among natural or artificial systems, presenting important opportunities in manufacturing, sensing, and control.

This course presents the rudiments of a new engineering discipline, synthetic biology, intended to design and gain control over simple versions of these living systems. The focus will be on reverse and forward engineering of transcriptional regulation in prokaryotic organisms, using the tools of functional and compositional abstraction, hierarchy, separation of concerns, parts, isolation, and circuit engineering. The course is intended for seniors or entering graduate students with an engineering background. Some knowledge of biochemistry and biology will be helpful, although much of this material will be presented. Enrollment limited