BATS

Date/Time:

Oct 9, 2020 - 12:00 PM

Location:

Hosts:

Bevin Engelward

Speaker:

Title:

Selection for Modified Peptide Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease

Abstract:

Modified peptides are a diverse class of molecules that have garnered pharmaceutical interest due to chemical modifications enhancing their affinity, stability and solubility. In this work, we demonstrate the design of a modified peptide library and evaluate ~10^8 variants for inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease. By coupling a protease-sensitive genetic circuit to a dual selection output, we enable the selection of a 1598 Da peptide with inhibitory activity that is dependent on post-translational modification for activity.

Speaker:

Title:

Molecular Computation with FRET-based Neural Networks

Abstract:

Molecular computing aims to probe the limits of efficient, reliable decision-making in non-electronic contexts. Here, we discuss a novel molecular computing system called the FRETnet, which is a physical realization of a neural network operating via controlled energy flow within a set of precisely positioned fluorescent molecules. Conceptually, this energy flow is directly analogous to information flow in a neural network, enabling us to tackle tasks such as image processing in contexts like wearable and implantable devices.