Protein-protein interactions play a central role in governing the flow of information in cellular signaling pathways. We have been investigating how modular protein interaction domains are used to organize signaling proteins into complexes that determine information flow, and how these domains have been used by nature to build devices and pathways capable of performing logical operations. Most recently we have been applying approaches of the new field of Synthetic Biology to this problem: we are using modular biological components linked together in novel ways to reshape or create new signaling devices, pathways and cellular behaviors. We are focusing on pathways involved in controlling cell movement and stress response. These approaches may enhance our understanding of the fundamental design principles of cell signaling circuits, as well as develop our ability to engineer cells with applied or therapeutic behaviors.

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