During last week’s chalk talks, I remember thinking “wow that’s really, really cool” to so many of my HHRF peers’ research projects. It’s difficult to pick a favorite from this general rosy impression, so I looked over my notes from the talks. Under Adam’s project title, I had jotted down the tagline “biological on-off switch!” The implications of this concept astounded me even more the second time around; now that I’m not focused on listening closely to Adam’s talk, my thoughts are rambling on about how truly powerful an ultrasensitive cellular response would be.
A few applications of ultrasensitivity from a layperson’s imagination:
- Acting as an on switch, ultrasensitivity might direct cells to produce desired (e.g. therapeutic or difficult to chemically synthesize) protein, either in individual humans to directly treat their conditions, or in a laboratory organism to harvest.
- Acting as an off switch, ultrasensitivity might treat disorders that involve overactive organs or systems (perhaps applicable to autoimmune issues? I imagine turning off a transplant recipient’s specific immune response that would reject a transplanted body part).
- Being able to activate cellular responses for a very clear, specified amount of time may have developmental implications. If I understand correctly, fetal development involves a highly duration-sensitive series of cellular activities; steps that last too long or too short usually have significant, deleterious outcomes. The clean, immediate nature of an ultrasensitive response tool may be the best way to approach the equally sensitive mechanisms of development.
- Of course, iGEM’s goal of programmed cell death seems to have obvious potential as cancer treatment.
Again, these applications are just some of my wild musings inspired by the immense significance of Adam’s research goal. I’m far from an expert on biophysics or cellular processes, but regardless of whether my particular ideas are realistic, I don’t doubt at all the usefulness of a biological on-off switch. Best of luck making it a reality, Adam!
