Protein-based nano-computing agents advance cell behavior control.

Penn State researchers have created the first protein-based nano-computing agent that functions as a circuit, bringing them one step closer to developing next-generation cell-based therapies to treat diseases like diabetes and cancer. The team engineered a target protein by integrating two sensor domains that respond to stimuli, and the protein-based devices respond directly to stimuli and then produce a desired action. The team plans to further develop their nano-computing agents and experiment with different applications of the technology.