Grand (& useful) Challenges
A) From atoms to evolving minigenome-cells.
- Improve in vitro macromolecular synthesis.
- Conceptually link atomic (mutational) changes to population evolution
(via molecular & systems modeling).
- Novel polymers for smart-materials, mirror-enzymes & drug selection.
B) From cells to tissues.
- Model combinations of external signals & genome-programming on expression.
- Manipulate stem-cell fate & stability.
- Engineer reduction of mutation & cancerous proliferation.
- Programmed cells to replace or augment (low toxicity) drugs.
C) From tissues to systems
- Programming of cell and tissue morphology.
- Quantitate robustness & evolvability.
- Engineer sensor-effector feedback networks where macro-morphologies
determine the functions; past (Darwinian) or future (prosthetic).