In multicellular systems cell identity is imprinted by epigenetic regulation circuits, which determine the global transcriptome of adult cells in a cell phenotype-specific manner. By combining two repressors, which control each other's expression, we have developed a mammalian epigenetic circuitry able to switch between two stable transgene expression states after transient administration of two alternate drugs. Engineered Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) showed toggle switch-specific expression profiles of a human glycoprotein in culture, as well as after microencapsulation and implantation into mice. Switch dynamics and expression stability could be predicted with mathematical models. Epigenetic transgene control through toggle switches is an important tool for engineering artificial gene networks in mammalian cells.

The biochemical network underlying quorum sensing in human-pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the best characterized. Mathematical modeling is required to untangle the complexity of its architecture and dynamics. We present a qualitative model of the P. aeruginosa quorum-sensing network including interactions between the las and rhl modules, the signaling molecule PQS and the regulatory proteins Mvfr and VfR. Simulations exemplify the model to reproduce natural network behavior and suggest quorum-sensing responses to pharmacological interference.

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