Modular Biochemical Signaling Laboratory Breadboard for Disease Research, Drug Discovery, Cell Biology, and Other Applications

摘要

A “breadboard” approach by which a biochemical signaling process, pathway, or network under study is separated or segmented into interconnected smaller portions, at least one of which can to a degree of approximation be accurately emulated with a replica microscale and/or nanoscale fluidic implementation whose constituent species can be closely controlled and at least one aspect of whose behavior can be measured. Control and measurement information interfaces with a computer that executes algorithms comprising one or more of a control process, control event-script, experiment, data recording, and mathematical model. A model can be used to simulate the actions, behavior, or other aspects of another portion of the biochemical signaling process, pathway, or network. Replica constituents can include enzymes, other proteins, lipids, ions, peptides, and other materials provided under controlled conditions and timing, as well as varying degrees of competitive species, drugs, environmental influences, and substitute or representative molecular crowding.

主权项

1. A method for implementing a “breadboard” approach for the study of a biochemical signaling process, pathway, or network, the method comprising:
Separating a naturally occurring multiple-stage biochemical process into a plurality of smaller portions, at least one of which can to a degree of approximation be accurately emulated with a fluidic implementation replica; Implementing a fluidic implementation replica of at least one of the smaller portions, the replica comprising inputs for reactants, a reaction environment, and provisions for measurement; Providing the controlled introduction of a plurality of biochemical materials into the replica, and Making at least one measurement relating to a resulting biochemical reaction within the replica, Wherein the biochemical reaction are controlled by a computer executing an algorithm, and Wherein the fluidic implementation replica emulates the at least one the smaller portion of the biochemical signaling process, pathway, or network.