Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Genetic information is expressed through the molecular products encoded by DNA. Synthetic systems can regulate these outputs, but retain the original link between DNA identity and function. Re-engineering this link could assign new functions to existing DNA identities. Here we present a genetic information compiler (GIC) that converts selected double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) identities into user-defined RNA outputs. GIC exploits the nontrivial activity of λ exonuclease to interrogate dsDNA and release predefined activators. These activators restore T7 promoters and drive programmable transcription. This modular architecture enables orthogonal and concurrent routing, logic processing, and control of RNA identity, amplitude, composition and timing. Spatial compartmentalization further reveals activator-mediated information transfer between separated compartments. By programming functional gRNAs as outputs, GIC enables tunable, sequence-dependent, and selective regulation of Cas9, Cas12a and Cas13a. GIC establishes a new programmable information layer in which existing dsDNA identities can be interpreted de novo as user-defined functional RNAs.
Source: ChemRxiv
Institution: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7221564014