A synthetic circuit has been created out of bacteria genes and controlled by regulatory proteins.
Researches built “AND” logic gates (“if x and y are true, do z”) out of genes that are regulated by the presence of two proteins. If both proteins are present, the gene will turn on.
The circuit consisted of multiple AND logic gates, and when they are all turned on a final gene will express a red fluorescing protein marker that can be detected.
This is a step towards creating synthetic cells that can monitor and alter their environment.
Read more at Washington University in St Louis