DARPA Wait, What?

http://txtlbio.org/waitwhat

On this screen you will select the switch that you want to implement. By selecting from the options below, you can choose the conditions you want your switch to detect, and whether you want expression of the output protein to be ON or OFF when the conditions are met.

Choose a Switch

This switch turns on only when both inputs (signals) are present at the same time

This switch turns on when either input (signal) is present

Choose Inputs

Input A

Input B


By choosing the different inputs for your switch, you can make it active only in certain conditions.

Select one input from each column. The first input corresponds to the presence of a signaling molecule in the environment. Depending on the sensor, a variety of molecules can be detected. The second input is based on the temperature of the environment around the sensor.

Example: switch is active only when molecule X is present and the temperature is high.

Note: in the tests that we run, we use "sigma factors" to simulate the presence or absence of these specific inputs. There are many sensors available in cells, including sensors for temperature, pH, and a variety of small molecules.

Choose Output

Decide if you want the output reporter to be ON or OFF when conditions are met

Note: in the tests that we run, we use green fluorescent protein (GFP) as the reporter output. Other types of outputs are available, including other colors of fluorescent proteins, enzymatic proteins and variety of small molecules.