Build Team

We are developing a DNA Atelier – a studio for fabricating and engineering cells with large DNA constructs to endow them with the capabilities to record their own histories.

The Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology is a collaboration between Allen Institute, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the University of Washington.

Goals and Approach

A major goal for the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology is to develop a ‘recorder mouse’ in each which each cell has the machinery to record its history. This project requires many genetic parts to be introduced into mouse cells at one location and for them to work effectively in concert. To achieve this, we are establishing a DNA Atelier for designing, fabricating and engineering cells with large synthetic DNA constructs in a predictable manner for biological recording.

Research Details

Establishing workflows for engineering mammalian cells with large DNA constructs

• In our DNA Atelier, we are developing and optimizing workflows for building large (>100kb) DNA constructs and verifying their integrity.
• These large DNA constructs will then be site-specifically integrated into target mammalian cells such as mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs)

Synthesizing one-shot loci that contain all the components for in vivo molecular recording

• One of the major goals of the SeaHub is to create a ‘recorder’ mouse in which each cell has the capability to record its history into the genome
• We will generate mice from engineered mESCs in which all the components for molecular recording are integrated at one locus to facilitate straightforward maintenance of all components through successive rounds of breeding