This dissertation focuses on the development of quantitative approaches for characterizing endogenous signaling pathways and designing new pathways in mammalian cells. I demonstrate how mathematical descriptions that are formulated to explain gene expression patterns can also serve as a powerful springboard for deeper analyses into the properties and functions of...
Many transcription factors (TFs) regulate oncogenic processes and are therefore desirable targets for drug intervention. However, few TF inhibitors have been developed to date due to a lack of specificity and few TF binding pockets. The Meade Lab has overcome these challenges by using cobalt-based complexes that disrupt Cys2His2 zinc...
Recent advances in cell-free synthetic biology have spurred the development of in vitro molecular diagnostics that serve as effective alternatives to whole-cell biosensors. However, cell-free sensors for detecting manmade organic water contaminants such as pesticides are sparse, partially because few characterized natural biological sensors can directly detect such pollutants. Here,...