ABOUT US

Welcome to our scientific research website INCT EngBio! Focused on applying and expanding knowledge about Metagenomes, Biological Systems Engineering, AI and Quantum Computing for the development of solutions such as: bioproducts, antiviral drugs, vaccines, cell-free systems, toehold switches, complex genome editing and agricultural cultivars. Here we will share articles, projects, curiosities, information and the main innovations in Biological Systems Engineering, Bioinformatics and Computing

Bioinformatics and AI

Bioinformatics and AI combine biology and computer science to decode the massive amounts of data found in living organisms. By using intelligent algorithms to analyze genetic patterns, this partnership acts as a powerful engine for discovery, with the potential to:

Predict Protein Structures: Using tools like AlphaFold to determine the 3D shapes of proteins, which is essential for understanding diseases.

Accelerate Drug Discovery: Identifying new drug candidates in weeks instead of years by simulating how molecules interact.

Personalize Medicine: Analyzing an individual's unique DNA to suggest treatments that are specifically tailored to their body.

Genetic Circuits

Genetic circuits are functional units within a cell designed to perform logical operations, much like the electronic circuits found in a computer. By engineering sets of genes and proteins to interact with one another, scientists can program living cells to respond to specific signals, with the potential to:

Create Biological Sensors: Programming cells to change color or glow when they detect specific toxins or pathogens in the environment.

Enable Precision Drug Delivery: Designing "smart cells" that only release medication when they detect the presence of a specific disease marker, like a cancer cell.

Control Cellular Behavior: Using biological "switches" and "gates" to turn specific cellular functions on or off based on timed intervals or external triggers.

Genome Minimization

Genome minimization is the process of stripping away non-essential genes from an organism to create a "minimal cell." By removing the biological "clutter" and keeping only the genetic instructions strictly necessary for life, scientists create a simplified platform for engineering, with the potential to:

Define the Essence of Life: Identifying the absolute minimum set of genes required for an organism to survive and reproduce.

Increase Industrial Efficiency: Creating "chassis" organisms that direct all their energy into producing specific chemicals or fuels instead of wasting it on unnecessary functions.

Improve Predictability: Building simpler cells that are easier for scientists to model and control, reducing the risk of unexpected biological side effects.