The Weiss Laboratory seeks to create integrated biological systems capable of autonomously performing useful tasks, and to elucidate the design principles underlying complex phenotypes. Cells sense their environment, process information, and continuously react to both internal and external stimuli. The construction of synthetic gene networks can help improve our understanding of such naturally existing regulatory functions within cells, while also enabling a wide range of programmed cells applications. Research projects in the Weiss Group span the assembly and delivery of genetic circuits, in vivo biosensors, development and pattern formation and artificial tissue homeostasis.