Innovative biosensors using next-generation technologies with high sensitivity to detect toxic compounds, metals and biomolecules will be highly impactful, particularly in the food and healthcare industries. At SynCTI, our research is directed towards non-invasive “contactless” biosensors leveraging optogenetics and thermogenetics for light- and temperature-controllable gene expression, respectively. These sensors offer high penetration depth which could empower in vivo microbial therapeutic applications.

Building a vast range of genetic circuits to test the performance of a given biosensor is critical and can be accelerated by using computer-based modelling driven by design and learn phases. This approach enables one to dissect the mechanism underlying the desired system and abstract the essential aspects quantitatively for hypothesis testing and fine-tuning at an unprecedented scale. Computer-aided tools such as Bio-Model Selection System (BMSS) are used to expedite the model development process, tapping inputs from experimental measurements.  A combination of design and testing thus helps provide insights into system behaviour and propels screening of efficient genetic circuits that could be implemented in the biosensor being studied.