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=== Synthetic Memory Devices ===
Cellular memory modules are extremely beneficial to [[Synthetic biology|synthetic biologists]] as they are a form of transcriptional memory. Transcription is a well-understood biological process and completes a large amount of the cell’s information processing. Due to this, synthetic biologists can develop synthetic memory devices used in experiments that increase our understanding of cellular processes. These devices can record stimulus exposure, maintain [[gene expression]], and identify cell populations that respond to specific events along with tracking their progression throughout the response. This information can carry into disease research because if an event response correlates with future cell behavior, this can give scientists a greater understanding of diseases resulting from cellular inheritance like [[cancer]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Burrill |first=Devin R. |last2=Silver |first2=Pamela A. |date=2010-01-08 |title=Making Cellular Memories |url=https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(09)01620-1 |journal=Cell |language=English |volume=140 |issue=1 |pages=13–18 |doi=10.1016/j.cell.2009.12.034 |issn=0092-8674 |pmc=PMC2882105 |pmid=20085698}}</ref> . Experimenters can use these synthetic memory devices to simulate specific events like exposure to potential disease risk factors to determine their physiological effects early on. This could have life-saving implications as we could receive information we normally only obtain after decades of exposure and disease formation significantly earlier on. This research could guide public health officials and policymakers on recommendations and regulations regarding these risk factors. Additionally, memory modules can accomplish long-term maintenance of their desired protein levels by using their output as regulatory input in order to perform new functions. This allows a memory module to assist in [[gene therapy]], either curing or improving a person’s ability to fight disease<ref name=":1" />.
=== Cancer Development ===
Misregulation of PcGs within cellular memory modules often leads to the development of [[Neoplasm|cancerous tumors]]. PcG’s role is to regulate the transcription of developmental genes, which entail processes like [[cell cycle]] progression, [[Cellular differentiation|differentiation]], or [[stem cell]] plasticity. Due to its imperative role in biological processes, mutations among PcGs initiate [[tumorigenesis]]. PcG mutations are more prominent among [[Hormone dependent cancers|hormone-dependent cancers]] where these proteins directly interact with the [[Hormone receptor|hormone receptors]]. It has been discovered that these PcG proteins are able to modulate the tumor microenvironment’s metabolism and immune response, impacting the cancer’s development. PcGs role in tumorigenesis isn’t fully understood although its link to cancer development is widely accepted<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Parreno |first=Victoria |last2=Martinez |first2=Anne-Marie |last3=Cavalli |first3=Giacomo |date=2022-03 |title=Mechanisms of Polycomb group protein function in cancer |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41422-021-00606-6 |journal=Cell Research |language=en |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=231–253 |doi=10.1038/s41422-021-00606-6 |issn=1748-7838}}</ref>.
== References ==
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