51
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Wang X, He Q, Yang Y, Wang J, Haning K, Hu Y, Wu B, He M, Zhang Y, Bao J, Contreras LM, Yang S. Advances and prospects in metabolic engineering of Zymomonas mobilis. Metab Eng 2018; 50:57-73. [PMID: 29627506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Biorefinery of biomass-based biofuels and biochemicals by microorganisms is a competitive alternative of traditional petroleum refineries. Zymomonas mobilis is a natural ethanologen with many desirable characteristics, which makes it an ideal industrial microbial biocatalyst for commercial production of desirable bioproducts through metabolic engineering. In this review, we summarize the metabolic engineering progress achieved in Z. mobilis to expand its substrate and product ranges as well as to enhance its robustness against stressful conditions such as inhibitory compounds within the lignocellulosic hydrolysates and slurries. We also discuss a few metabolic engineering strategies that can be applied in Z. mobilis to further develop it as a robust workhorse for economic lignocellulosic bioproducts. In addition, we briefly review the progress of metabolic engineering in Z. mobilis related to the classical synthetic biology cycle of "Design-Build-Test-Learn", as well as the progress and potential to develop Z. mobilis as a model chassis for biorefinery practices in the synthetic biology era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Qiaoning He
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Yongfu Yang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Jingwen Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Katie Haning
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
| | - Yun Hu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Bo Wu
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biomass Energy Technology Research Centre, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Mingxiong He
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biomass Energy Technology Research Centre, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Yaoping Zhang
- DOE-Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Jie Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Lydia M Contreras
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
| | - Shihui Yang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, Environmental Microbial Technology Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
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52
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Carlson
- Biodesic and Bioeconomy Capital; 3417 Evanston Ave N, Ste 329 Seattle WA 98103 USA
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53
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Li F, Li Y, Sun L, Chen X, An X, Yin C, Cao Y, Wu H, Song H. Modular Engineering Intracellular NADH Regeneration Boosts Extracellular Electron Transfer of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:885-895. [PMID: 29429342 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Efficient extracellular electron transfer (EET) of exoelectrogens is essentially for practical applications of versatile bioelectrochemical systems. Intracellular electrons flow from NADH to extracellular electron acceptors via EET pathways. However, it was yet established how the manipulation of intracellular NADH impacted the EET efficiency. Strengthening NADH regeneration from NAD+, as a feasible approach for cofactor engineering, has been used in regulating the intracellular NADH pool and the redox state (NADH/NAD+ ratio) of cells. Herein, we first adopted a modular metabolic engineering strategy to engineer and drive the metabolic flux toward the enhancement of intracellular NADH regeneration. We systematically studied 16 genes related to the NAD+-dependent oxidation reactions for strengthening NADH regeneration in the four metabolic modules of S. oneidensis MR-1, i.e., glycolysis, C1 metabolism, pyruvate fermentation, and tricarboxylic acid cycle. Among them, three endogenous genes mostly responsible for increasing NADH regeneration were identified, namely gapA2 encoding a NAD+-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in the glycolysis module, mdh encoding a NAD+-dependent malate dehydrogenase in the TCA cycle, and pflB encoding a pyruvate-formate lyase that converted pyruvate to formate in the pyruvate fermentation module. An exogenous gene fdh* from Candida boidinii encoding a NAD+-dependent formate dehydrogenase to increase NADH regeneration in the pyruvate fermentation module was further identified. Upon assembling these four genes in S. oneidensis MR-1, ∼4.3-fold increase in NADH/NAD+ ratio, and ∼1.2-fold increase in intracellular NADH pool were obtained under anaerobic conditions without discharge, which elicited ∼3.0-fold increase in the maximum power output in microbial fuel cells, from 26.2 ± 2.8 (wild-type) to 105.8 ± 4.1 mW/m2 (recombinant S. oneidensis), suggesting a boost in the EET efficiency. This modular engineering method in controlling the intracellular reducing equivalents would be a general approach in tuning the EET efficiency of exoelectrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yuanxiu Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Liming Sun
- Petrochemical Research Institute, PetroChina Company Limited, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xingjuan An
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Changji Yin
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yingxiu Cao
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Hui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Engineering of China National Light Industry Council, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hao Song
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
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54
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Lukan T, Machens F, Coll A, Baebler Š, Messerschmidt K, Gruden K. Plant X-tender: An extension of the AssemblX system for the assembly and expression of multigene constructs in plants. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190526. [PMID: 29300787 PMCID: PMC5754074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cloning multiple DNA fragments for delivery of several genes of interest into the plant genome is one of the main technological challenges in plant synthetic biology. Despite several modular assembly methods developed in recent years, the plant biotechnology community has not widely adopted them yet, probably due to the lack of appropriate vectors and software tools. Here we present Plant X-tender, an extension of the highly efficient, scar-free and sequence-independent multigene assembly strategy AssemblX, based on overlap-depended cloning methods and rare-cutting restriction enzymes. Plant X-tender consists of a set of plant expression vectors and the protocols for most efficient cloning into the novel vector set needed for plant expression and thus introduces advantages of AssemblX into plant synthetic biology. The novel vector set covers different backbones and selection markers to allow full design flexibility. We have included ccdB counterselection, thereby allowing the transfer of multigene constructs into the novel vector set in a straightforward and highly efficient way. Vectors are available as empty backbones and are fully flexible regarding the orientation of expression cassettes and addition of linkers between them, if required. We optimised the assembly and subcloning protocol by testing different scar-less assembly approaches: the noncommercial SLiCE and TAR methods and the commercial Gibson assembly and NEBuilder HiFi DNA assembly kits. Plant X-tender was applicable even in combination with low efficient homemade chemically competent or electrocompetent Escherichia coli. We have further validated the developed procedure for plant protein expression by cloning two cassettes into the newly developed vectors and subsequently transferred them to Nicotiana benthamiana in a transient expression setup. Thereby we show that multigene constructs can be delivered into plant cells in a streamlined and highly efficient way. Our results will support faster introduction of synthetic biology into plant science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjaša Lukan
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- * E-mail:
| | - Fabian Machens
- University of Potsdam, Cell2Fab Research Unit, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Anna Coll
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Baebler
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Kristina Gruden
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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55
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Andreou AI, Nakayama N. Mobius Assembly: A versatile Golden-Gate framework towards universal DNA assembly. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0189892. [PMID: 29293531 PMCID: PMC5749717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology builds upon the foundation of engineering principles, prompting innovation and improvement in biotechnology via a design-build-test-learn cycle. A community-wide standard in DNA assembly would enable bio-molecular engineering at the levels of predictivity and universality in design and construction that are comparable to other engineering fields. Golden Gate Assembly technology, with its robust capability to unidirectionally assemble numerous DNA fragments in a one-tube reaction, has the potential to deliver a universal standard framework for DNA assembly. While current Golden Gate Assembly frameworks (e.g. MoClo and Golden Braid) render either high cloning capacity or vector toolkit simplicity, the technology can be made more versatile-simple, streamlined, and cost/labor-efficient, without compromising capacity. Here we report the development of a new Golden Gate Assembly framework named Mobius Assembly, which combines vector toolkit simplicity with high cloning capacity. It is based on a two-level, hierarchical approach and utilizes a low-frequency cutter to reduce domestication requirements. Mobius Assembly embraces the standard overhang designs designated by MoClo, Golden Braid, and Phytobricks and is largely compatible with already available Golden Gate part libraries. In addition, dropout cassettes encoding chromogenic proteins were implemented for cost-free visible cloning screening that color-code different cloning levels. As proofs of concept, we have successfully assembled up to 16 transcriptional units of various pigmentation genes in both operon and multigene arrangements. Taken together, Mobius Assembly delivers enhanced versatility and efficiency in DNA assembly, facilitating improved standardization and automation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas I. Andreou
- SynthSys Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi Nakayama
- SynthSys Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Science at Extreme Condition, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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56
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Kang Z, Ding W, Jin P, Du G, Chen J. DNA Assembly with the DATEL Method. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1772:421-428. [PMID: 29754243 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7795-6_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Simple and reliable DNA assembly methods have become a critical technique in synthetic biology. Here, we present a protocol of the recently developed DATEL (scarless and sequence-independent DNA assembly method using thermostable exonuclease and ligase) method for the construction of genetic circuits and biological pathways from multiple DNA parts in one tube. DATEL is expected to be an applicable choice for both manual and automated high-throughput assembly of DNA fragments, which will greatly facilitate the rapid progress of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Kang
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
- Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
| | - Wenwen Ding
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Peng Jin
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guocheng Du
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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57
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Karabín M, Jelínek L, Kotrba P, Cejnar R, Dostálek P. Enhancing the performance of brewing yeasts. Biotechnol Adv 2017; 36:691-706. [PMID: 29277309 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Beer production is one of the oldest known traditional biotechnological processes, but is nowadays facing increasing demands not only for enhanced product quality, but also for improved production economics. Targeted genetic modification of a yeast strain is one way to increase beer quality and to improve the economics of beer production. In this review we will present current knowledge on traditional approaches for improving brewing strains and for rational metabolic engineering. These research efforts will, in the near future, lead to the development of a wider range of industrial strains that should increase the diversity of commercial beers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Karabín
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Jelínek
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Kotrba
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Cejnar
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Dostálek
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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58
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Li L, Jiang W, Lu Y. New strategies and approaches for engineering biosynthetic gene clusters of microbial natural products. Biotechnol Adv 2017; 35:936-949. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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59
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Bhatia SP, Smanski MJ, Voigt CA, Densmore DM. Genetic Design via Combinatorial Constraint Specification. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:2130-2135. [PMID: 28874044 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We present a formal language for specifying via constraints a "design space" of DNA constructs composed of genetic parts, and an algorithm for automatically and correctly creating a novel representation of the space of satisfying designs. The language is simple, captures a large class of design spaces, and possesses algorithms for common operations on design spaces. The flexibility of this approach is demonstrated using a 16-gene nitrogen fixation pathway and genetic logic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnil P. Bhatia
- Biological
Design Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Michael J. Smanski
- Department
of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Christopher A. Voigt
- Synthetic
Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Douglas M. Densmore
- Biological
Design Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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60
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Zeng F, Zang J, Zhang S, Hao Z, Dong J, Lin Y. AFEAP cloning: a precise and efficient method for large DNA sequence assembly. BMC Biotechnol 2017; 17:81. [PMID: 29137618 PMCID: PMC5686892 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-017-0394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent development of DNA assembly technologies has spurred myriad advances in synthetic biology, but new tools are always required for complicated scenarios. Here, we have developed an alternative DNA assembly method named AFEAP cloning (Assembly of Fragment Ends After PCR), which allows scarless, modular, and reliable construction of biological pathways and circuits from basic genetic parts. Methods The AFEAP method requires two-round of PCRs followed by ligation of the sticky ends of DNA fragments. The first PCR yields linear DNA fragments and is followed by a second asymmetric (one primer) PCR and subsequent annealing that inserts overlapping overhangs at both sides of each DNA fragment. The overlapping overhangs of the neighboring DNA fragments annealed and the nick was sealed by T4 DNA ligase, followed by bacterial transformation to yield the desired plasmids. Results We characterized the capability and limitations of new developed AFEAP cloning and demonstrated its application to assemble DNA with varying scenarios. Under the optimized conditions, AFEAP cloning allows assembly of an 8 kb plasmid from 1-13 fragments with high accuracy (between 80 and 100%), and 8.0, 11.6, 19.6, 28, and 35.6 kb plasmids from five fragments at 91.67, 91.67, 88.33, 86.33, and 81.67% fidelity, respectively. AFEAP cloning also is capable to construct bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC, 200 kb) with a fidelity of 46.7%. Conclusions AFEAP cloning provides a powerful, efficient, seamless, and sequence-independent DNA assembly tool for multiple fragments up to 13 and large DNA up to 200 kb that expands synthetic biologist’s toolbox. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: 10.1186/s12896-017-0394-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanli Zeng
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinping Zang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, People's Republic of China
| | - Suhua Zhang
- Institute of Biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Hao
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingao Dong
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yibin Lin
- McGovern Medical School, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, 77030, USA.
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61
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Ding W, Weng H, Jin P, Du G, Chen J, Kang Z. Scarless assembly of unphosphorylated DNA fragments with a simplified DATEL method. Bioengineered 2017; 8:296-301. [PMID: 28384080 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2017.1308986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient assembly of multiple DNA fragments is a pivotal technology for synthetic biology. A scarless and sequence-independent DNA assembly method (DATEL) using thermal exonucleases has been developed recently. Here, we present a simplified DATEL (sDATEL) for efficient assembly of unphosphorylated DNA fragments with low cost. The sDATEL method is only dependent on Taq DNA polymerase and Taq DNA ligase. After optimizing the committed parameters of the reaction system such as pH and the concentration of Mg2+ and NAD+, the assembly efficiency was increased by 32-fold. To further improve the assembly capacity, the number of thermal cycles was optimized, resulting in successful assembly 4 unphosphorylated DNA fragments with an accuracy of 75%. sDATEL could be a desirable method for routine manual and automated assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Ding
- a The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education , School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China.,b Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition , Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China
| | - Huanjiao Weng
- a The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education , School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China.,b Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition , Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China
| | - Peng Jin
- a The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education , School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China.,b Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition , Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China
| | - Guocheng Du
- a The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education , School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China.,b Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition , Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China
| | - Jian Chen
- a The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education , School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China.,b Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition , Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China
| | - Zhen Kang
- a The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education , School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China.,b Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition , Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China Jiangnan University , Wuxi , China.,c The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology , Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , P. R. China
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62
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Liang J, Liu Z, Low XZ, Ang EL, Zhao H. Twin-primer non-enzymatic DNA assembly: an efficient and accurate multi-part DNA assembly method. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:e94. [PMID: 28334760 PMCID: PMC5499748 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA assembly forms the cornerstone of modern synthetic biology. Despite the numerous available methods, scarless multi-fragment assembly of large plasmids remains challenging. Furthermore, the upcoming wave in molecular biological automation demands a rethinking of how we perform DNA assembly. To streamline automation workflow and minimize operator intervention, a non-enzymatic assembly method is highly desirable. Here, we report the optimization and operationalization of a process called Twin-Primer Assembly (TPA), which is a method to assemble polymerase chain reaction-amplified fragments into a plasmid without the use of enzymes. TPA is capable of assembling a 7 kb plasmid from 10 fragments at ∼80% fidelity and a 31 kb plasmid from five fragments at ∼50% fidelity. TPA cloning is scarless and sequence independent. Even without the use of enzymes, the performance of TPA is on par with some of the best in vitro assembly methods currently available. TPA should be an invaluable addition to a synthetic biologist's toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liang
- Metabolic Engineering Research Laboratory, Science and Engineering Institutes, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Zihe Liu
- Metabolic Engineering Research Laboratory, Science and Engineering Institutes, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Xi Z Low
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ee L Ang
- Metabolic Engineering Research Laboratory, Science and Engineering Institutes, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Metabolic Engineering Research Laboratory, Science and Engineering Institutes, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138669, Singapore.,NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, Singapore 129957, Singapore
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63
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Yu D, Tan Y, Sun Z, Sun X, Sheng X, Zhou T, Liu L, Mo Y, Jiang B, Ouyang N, Yin X, Duan M, Yuan D. In Vitro Seamless Stack Enzymatic Assembly of DNA Molecules Based on a Strategy Involving Splicing of Restriction Sites. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14261. [PMID: 29079784 PMCID: PMC5660187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14496-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The standard binary enzymatic assembly, which operates by inserting one DNA fragment into a plasmid, has a higher assembly success rate than the polynary enzymatic assembly, which inserts two or more fragments into the plasmid. However, it often leaves a nucleotide scar at the junction site. When a large DNA molecule is assembled stepwise into a backbone plasmid in a random piecewise manner, the scars will damage the structure of the original DNA sequence in the final assembled plasmids. Here, we propose an in vitro Seamless Stack Enzymatic Assembly (SSEA) method, a novel binary enzymatic assembly method involving a seamless strategy of splicing restriction sites via a stepwise process of multiple enzymatic reactions that does not leave nucleotide scars at the junction sites. We have demonstrated the success and versatility of this method through the assembly of 1) a 4.98 kb DNA molecule in the 5' → 3' direction using BamHI to generate the sticky end of the assembly entrance, 2) a 7.09 kb DNA molecule in the 3' → 5' direction using SmaI to generate the blunt end of the assembly entrance, and 3) an 11.88 kb DNA molecule by changing the assembly entrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, 1 Nongda Rd, 410128, Changsha, China
| | - Yanning Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China
| | - Zhizhong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, 1 Nongda Rd, 410128, Changsha, China
| | - Xuewu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China
| | - Xiabing Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China
| | - Tianshun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China
| | - Ling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, 1 Nongda Rd, 410128, Changsha, China
| | - Beibei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China
| | - Ning Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaolin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.,Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China
| | - Meijuan Duan
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, 1 Nongda Rd, 410128, Changsha, China.
| | - Dingyang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, 736 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China. .,Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China. .,College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, 1 Nongda Rd, 410128, Changsha, China. .,Long Ping Branch, Graduate School of Hunan University, 892 Yuanda Rd, 410125, Changsha, China.
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64
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Decoene T, De Paepe B, Maertens J, Coussement P, Peters G, De Maeseneire SL, De Mey M. Standardization in synthetic biology: an engineering discipline coming of age. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2017; 38:647-656. [PMID: 28954542 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2017.1380600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leaping DNA read-and-write technologies, and extensive automation and miniaturization are radically transforming the field of biological experimentation by providing the tools that enable the cost-effective high-throughput required to address the enormous complexity of biological systems. However, standardization of the synthetic biology workflow has not kept abreast with dwindling technical and resource constraints, leading, for example, to the collection of multi-level and multi-omics large data sets that end up disconnected or remain under- or even unexploited. PURPOSE In this contribution, we critically evaluate the various efforts, and the (limited) success thereof, in order to introduce standards for defining, designing, assembling, characterizing, and sharing synthetic biology parts. The causes for this success or the lack thereof, as well as possible solutions to overcome these, are discussed. CONCLUSION Akin to other engineering disciplines, extensive standardization will undoubtedly speed-up and reduce the cost of bioprocess development. In this respect, further implementation of synthetic biology standards will be crucial for the field in order to redeem its promise, i.e. to enable predictable forward engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Decoene
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Brecht De Paepe
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Jo Maertens
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | | | - Gert Peters
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Sofie L De Maeseneire
- b InBio.be, Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Marjan De Mey
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
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65
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Cao Y, Li X, Li F, Song H. CRISPRi-sRNA: Transcriptional-Translational Regulation of Extracellular Electron Transfer in Shewanella oneidensis. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:1679-1690. [PMID: 28616968 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular electron transfer (EET) in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, which is one of the most well-studied exoelectrogens, underlies many microbial electrocatalysis processes, including microbial fuel cells, microbial electrolysis cells, and microbial electrosynthesis. However, regulating the efficiency of EET remains challenging due to the lack of efficient genome regulation tools that regulate gene expression levels in S. oneidensis. Here, we systematically established a transcriptional regulation technology, i.e., clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference (CRISPRi), in S. oneidensis MR-1 using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter. We used this CRISPRi technology to repress the expression levels of target genes, individually and in combination, in the EET pathways (e.g., the MtrCAB pathway and genes affecting the formation of electroactive biofilms in S. oneidensis), which in turn enabled the efficient regulation of EET efficiency. We then established a translational regulation technology, i.e., Hfq-dependent small regulatory RNA (sRNA), in S. oneidensis by repressing the GFP reporter and mtrA, which is a critical gene in the EET pathways in S. oneidensis. To achieve coordinated transcriptional and translational regulation at the genomic level, the CRISPRi and Hfq-dependent sRNA systems were incorporated into a single plasmid harbored in a recombinant S. oneidensis strain, which enabled an even higher efficiency of mtrA gene repression in the EET pathways than that achieved by the CRISPRi and Hfq-dependent sRNA system alone, as exhibited by the reduced electricity output. Overall, we developed a combined CRISPRi-sRNA method that enabled the synergistic transcriptional and translational regulation of target genes in S. oneidensis. This technology involving CRISPRi-sRNA transcriptional-translational regulation of gene expression at the genomic level could be applied to other microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxiu Cao
- Key Laboratory of Systems
Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform,
Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
(Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems
Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform,
Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
(Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P.R. China
| | - Feng Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems
Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform,
Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
(Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P.R. China
| | - Hao Song
- Key Laboratory of Systems
Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform,
Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering
(Tianjin), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P.R. China
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66
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Rangel-Chavez C, Galan-Vasquez E, Martinez-Antonio A. Consensus architecture of promoters and transcription units in Escherichia coli: design principles for synthetic biology. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2017; 13:665-676. [PMID: 28256660 DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00789a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Genetic information in genomes is ordered, arranged in such a way that it constitutes a code, the so-called cis regulatory code. The regulatory machinery of the cell, termed trans-factors, decodes and expresses this information. In this way, genomes maintain a potential repertoire of genetic programs, parts of which are executed depending on the presence of active regulators in each condition. These genetic programs, executed by the regulatory machinery, have functional units in the genome delimited by punctuation-like marks. In genetic terms, these informational phrases correspond to transcription units, which are the minimal genetic information expressed consistently from initiation to termination marks. Between the start and final punctuation marks, additional marks are present that are read by the transcriptional and translational machineries. In this work, we look at all the experimentally described and predicted genetic elements in the bacterium Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 and define a comprehensive architectural organization of transcription units to reveal the natural genome-design and to guide the construction of synthetic genetic programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Rangel-Chavez
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Genetic Engineering Department, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Campus Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr, Irapuato-León 36821, Irapuato Gto, Mexico.
| | - Edgardo Galan-Vasquez
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Genetic Engineering Department, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Campus Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr, Irapuato-León 36821, Irapuato Gto, Mexico.
| | - Agustino Martinez-Antonio
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Genetic Engineering Department, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav), Campus Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr, Irapuato-León 36821, Irapuato Gto, Mexico.
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67
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Schlecht U, Mok J, Dallett C, Berka J. ConcatSeq: A method for increasing throughput of single molecule sequencing by concatenating short DNA fragments. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5252. [PMID: 28701704 PMCID: PMC5507877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05503-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Single molecule sequencing (SMS) platforms enable base sequences to be read directly from individual strands of DNA in real-time. Though capable of long read lengths, SMS platforms currently suffer from low throughput compared to competing short-read sequencing technologies. Here, we present a novel strategy for sequencing library preparation, dubbed ConcatSeq, which increases the throughput of SMS platforms by generating long concatenated templates from pools of short DNA molecules. We demonstrate adaptation of this technique to two target enrichment workflows, commonly used for oncology applications, and feasibility using PacBio single molecule real-time (SMRT) technology. Our approach is capable of increasing the sequencing throughput of the PacBio RSII platform by more than five-fold, while maintaining the ability to correctly call allele frequencies of known single nucleotide variants. ConcatSeq provides a versatile new sample preparation tool for long-read sequencing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Schlecht
- Roche Sequencing Solutions, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, USA.
| | - Janine Mok
- Roche Sequencing Solutions, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, USA
| | - Carolina Dallett
- Roche Sequencing Solutions, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, USA
| | - Jan Berka
- Roche Sequencing Solutions, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, USA
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68
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Chao R, Mishra S, Si T, Zhao H. Engineering biological systems using automated biofoundries. Metab Eng 2017; 42:98-108. [PMID: 28602523 PMCID: PMC5544601 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Engineered biological systems such as genetic circuits and microbial cell factories have promised to solve many challenges in the modern society. However, the artisanal processes of research and development are slow, expensive, and inconsistent, representing a major obstacle in biotechnology and bioengineering. In recent years, biological foundries or biofoundries have been developed to automate design-build-test engineering cycles in an effort to accelerate these processes. This review summarizes the enabling technologies for such biofoundries as well as their early successes and remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Chao
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Shekhar Mishra
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Tong Si
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
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69
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Van Hove B, Guidi C, De Wannemaeker L, Maertens J, De Mey M. Recursive DNA Assembly Using Protected Oligonucleotide Duplex Assisted Cloning (PODAC). ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:943-949. [PMID: 28320206 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A problem rarely tackled by current DNA assembly methods is the issue of cloning additional parts into an already assembled construct. Costly PCR workflows are often hindered by repeated sequences, and restriction based strategies impose design constraints for each enzyme used. Here we present Protected Oligonucleotide Duplex Assisted Cloning (PODAC), a novel technique that makes use of an oligonucleotide duplex for iterative Golden Gate cloning using only one restriction enzyme. Methylated bases confer protection from digestion during the assembly reaction and are removed during replication in vivo, unveiling a new cloning site in the process. We used this method to efficiently and accurately assemble a biosynthetic pathway and demonstrated its robustness toward sequence repeats by constructing artificial CRISPR arrays. As PODAC is readily amenable to standardization, it would make a useful addition to the synthetic biology toolkit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob Van Hove
- Centre for Synthetic
Biology
(CSB), Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chiara Guidi
- Centre for Synthetic
Biology
(CSB), Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lien De Wannemaeker
- Centre for Synthetic
Biology
(CSB), Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Maertens
- Centre for Synthetic
Biology
(CSB), Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marjan De Mey
- Centre for Synthetic
Biology
(CSB), Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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70
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71
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Woodruff LBA, Gorochowski TE, Roehner N, Mikkelsen TS, Densmore D, Gordon DB, Nicol R, Voigt CA. Registry in a tube: multiplexed pools of retrievable parts for genetic design space exploration. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:1553-1565. [PMID: 28007941 PMCID: PMC5388403 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw1226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic designs can consist of dozens of genes and hundreds of genetic parts. After evaluating a design, it is desirable to implement changes without the cost and burden of starting the construction process from scratch. Here, we report a two-step process where a large design space is divided into deep pools of composite parts, from which individuals are retrieved and assembled to build a final construct. The pools are built via multiplexed assembly and sequenced using next-generation sequencing. Each pool consists of ∼20 Mb of up to 5000 unique and sequence-verified composite parts that are barcoded for retrieval by PCR. This approach is applied to a 16-gene nitrogen fixation pathway, which is broken into pools containing a total of 55 848 composite parts (71.0 Mb). The pools encompass an enormous design space (1043 possible 23 kb constructs), from which an algorithm-guided 192-member 4.5 Mb library is built. Next, all 1030 possible genetic circuits based on 10 repressors (NOR/NOT gates) are encoded in pools where each repressor is fused to all permutations of input promoters. These demonstrate that multiplexing can be applied to encompass entire design spaces from which individuals can be accessed and evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B A Woodruff
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Thomas E Gorochowski
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas Roehner
- Biological Design Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tarjei S Mikkelsen
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Douglas Densmore
- Biological Design Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D Benjamin Gordon
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert Nicol
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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72
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Genome Partitioner: A web tool for multi-level partitioning of large-scale DNA constructs for synthetic biology applications. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177234. [PMID: 28531174 PMCID: PMC5439662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in lower-cost DNA synthesis techniques have enabled new innovations in the field of synthetic biology. Still, efficient design and higher-order assembly of genome-scale DNA constructs remains a labor-intensive process. Given the complexity, computer assisted design tools that fragment large DNA sequences into fabricable DNA blocks are needed to pave the way towards streamlined assembly of biological systems. Here, we present the Genome Partitioner software implemented as a web-based interface that permits multi-level partitioning of genome-scale DNA designs. Without the need for specialized computing skills, biologists can submit their DNA designs to a fully automated pipeline that generates the optimal retrosynthetic route for higher-order DNA assembly. To test the algorithm, we partitioned a 783 kb Caulobacter crescentus genome design. We validated the partitioning strategy by assembling a 20 kb test segment encompassing a difficult to synthesize DNA sequence. Successful assembly from 1 kb subblocks into the 20 kb segment highlights the effectiveness of the Genome Partitioner for reducing synthesis costs and timelines for higher-order DNA assembly. The Genome Partitioner is broadly applicable to translate DNA designs into ready to order sequences that can be assembled with standardized protocols, thus offering new opportunities to harness the diversity of microbial genomes for synthetic biology applications. The Genome Partitioner web tool can be accessed at https://christenlab.ethz.ch/GenomePartitioner.
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73
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Basitta P, Westrich L, Rösch M, Kulik A, Gust B, Apel AK. AGOS: A Plug-and-Play Method for the Assembly of Artificial Gene Operons into Functional Biosynthetic Gene Clusters. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:817-825. [PMID: 28182401 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The generation of novel secondary metabolites by reengineering or refactoring biochemical pathways is a rewarding but also challenging goal of synthetic biology. For this, the development of tools for the reconstruction of secondary metabolite gene clusters as well as the challenge of understanding the obstacles in this process is of great interest. The artificial gene operon assembly system (AGOS) is a plug-and-play method developed as a tool to consecutively assemble artificial gene operons into a destination vector and subsequently express them under the control of a de-repressed promoter in a Streptomyces host strain. AGOS was designed as a set of entry plasmids for the construction of artificial gene operons and a SuperCos1 based destination vector, into which the constructed operons can be assembled by Red/ET-mediated recombination. To provide a proof-of-concept of this method, we disassembled the well-known novobiocin biosynthetic gene cluster into four gene operons, encoding for the different moieties of novobiocin. We then genetically reorganized these gene operons with the help of AGOS to finally obtain the complete novobiocin gene cluster again. The production of novobiocin precursors and of novobiocin could successfully be detected by LC-MS and LC-MS/MS. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the omission of terminator sequences only had a minor impact on product formation in our system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Basitta
- Pharmaceutical
Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Tübingen, Auf
der Morgenstelle 8, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Lucia Westrich
- Pharmaceutical
Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Tübingen, Auf
der Morgenstelle 8, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Manuela Rösch
- Pharmaceutical
Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Tübingen, Auf
der Morgenstelle 8, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | | | - Bertolt Gust
- Pharmaceutical
Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Tübingen, Auf
der Morgenstelle 8, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Alexander Kristian Apel
- Pharmaceutical
Biology, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Tübingen, Auf
der Morgenstelle 8, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
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74
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Chen X, Gao C, Guo L, Hu G, Luo Q, Liu J, Nielsen J, Chen J, Liu L. DCEO Biotechnology: Tools To Design, Construct, Evaluate, and Optimize the Metabolic Pathway for Biosynthesis of Chemicals. Chem Rev 2017; 118:4-72. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiulai Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Key
Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Cong Gao
- State
Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Key
Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Liang Guo
- State
Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Key
Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Guipeng Hu
- State
Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Key
Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Qiuling Luo
- State
Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Key
Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jia Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Key
Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department
of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg SE-412 96, Sweden
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, DK2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jian Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Key
Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Liming Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- Department
of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg SE-412 96, Sweden
- Key
Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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75
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Chizzolini F, Forlin M, Yeh Martín N, Berloffa G, Cecchi D, Mansy SS. Cell-Free Translation Is More Variable than Transcription. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:638-647. [PMID: 28100049 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although RNA synthesis can be reliably controlled with different T7 transcriptional promoters during cell-free gene expression with the PURE system, protein synthesis remains largely unaffected. To better control protein levels, we investigated a series of ribosome binding sites (RBSs). Although RBS strength did strongly affect protein synthesis, the RBS sequence could explain less than half of the variability of the data. Protein expression was found to depend on other factors besides the strength of the RBS, including the GC content of the coding sequence. The complexity of protein synthesis in comparison to RNA synthesis was observed by the higher degree of variability associated with protein expression. This variability was also observed in an E. coli cell extract-based system. However, the coefficient of variation was larger with E. coli RNA polymerase than with T7 RNA polymerase, consistent with the increased complexity of E. coli RNA polymerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Chizzolini
- Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy
| | - Michele Forlin
- Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy
| | - Noël Yeh Martín
- Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy
| | - Giuliano Berloffa
- Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy
| | - Dario Cecchi
- Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy
| | - Sheref S Mansy
- Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy
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76
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Low escape-rate genome safeguards with minimal molecular perturbation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E1470-E1479. [PMID: 28174266 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1621250114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
As the use of synthetic biology both in industry and in academia grows, there is an increasing need to ensure biocontainment. There is growing interest in engineering bacterial- and yeast-based safeguard (SG) strains. First-generation SGs were based on metabolic auxotrophy; however, the risk of cross-feeding and the cost of growth-controlling nutrients led researchers to look for other avenues. Recent strategies include bacteria engineered to be dependent on nonnatural amino acids and yeast SG strains that have both transcriptional- and recombinational-based biocontainment. We describe improving yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based transcriptional SG strains, which have near-WT fitness, the lowest possible escape rate, and nanomolar ligands controlling growth. We screened a library of essential genes, as well as the best-performing promoter and terminators, yielding the best SG strains in yeast. The best constructs were fine-tuned, resulting in two tightly controlled inducible systems. In addition, for potential use in the prevention of industrial espionage, we screened an array of possible "decoy molecules" that can be used to mask any proprietary supplement to the SG strain, with minimal effect on strain fitness.
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77
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Abstract
The assembly of multiple DNA parts into a larger DNA construct is a requirement in most synthetic biology laboratories. Here we describe a method for the efficient, high-throughput, assembly of DNA utilizing the yeast homologous recombination (YHR). The YHR method utilizes overlapping DNA parts that are assembled together by Saccharomyces cerevisiae via homologous recombination between designed overlapping regions. Using this method, we have successfully assembled up to 12 DNA parts in a single reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Chandran
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis Street, Suite 100, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.
| | - Elaine Shapland
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis Street, Suite 100, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
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78
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Development of Synthetic Microbial Platforms to Convert Lignocellulosic Biomass to Biofuels. ADVANCES IN BIOENERGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aibe.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
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79
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Li F, Li Y, Sun L, Li X, Yin C, An X, Chen X, Tian Y, Song H. Engineering Shewanella oneidensis enables xylose-fed microbial fuel cell. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2017; 10:196. [PMID: 28804512 PMCID: PMC5549365 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-017-0881-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a green and sustainable technology for electricity energy harvest from biomass, in which exoelectrogens use metabolism and extracellular electron transfer pathways for the conversion of chemical energy into electricity. However, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, one of the most well-known exoelectrogens, could not use xylose (a key pentose derived from hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass) for cell growth and power generation, which limited greatly its practical applications. RESULTS Herein, to enable S. oneidensis to directly utilize xylose as the sole carbon source for bioelectricity production in MFCs, we used synthetic biology strategies to successfully construct four genetically engineered S. oneidensis (namely XE, GE, XS, and GS) by assembling one of the xylose transporters (from Candida intermedia and Clostridium acetobutylicum) with one of intracellular xylose metabolic pathways (the isomerase pathway from Escherichia coli and the oxidoreductase pathway from Scheffersomyces stipites), respectively. We found that among these engineered S. oneidensis strains, the strain GS (i.e. harbouring Gxf1 gene encoding the xylose facilitator from C. intermedi, and XYL1, XYL2, and XKS1 genes encoding the xylose oxidoreductase pathway from S. stipites) was able to generate the highest power density, enabling a maximum electricity power density of 2.1 ± 0.1 mW/m2. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report on the rationally designed Shewanella that could use xylose as the sole carbon source and electron donor to produce electricity. The synthetic biology strategies developed in this study could be further extended to rationally engineer other exoelectrogens for lignocellulosic biomass utilization to generate electricity power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Yuanxiu Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Liming Sun
- Petrochemical Research Institute, PetroChina Company Limited, Beijing, 102206 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Changji Yin
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Xingjuan An
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Yao Tian
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Hao Song
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
- SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
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80
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Wang X, Tang B, Ye Y, Mao Y, Lei X, Zhao G, Ding X. Bxb1 integrase serves as a highly efficient DNA recombinase in rapid metabolite pathway assembly. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2017; 49:44-50. [PMID: 27864282 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmw115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phage-encoded serine integrases are widely used in genetic engineering. They also have the potential to serve as efficient DNA assemblers, demonstrated by the method of site-specific recombination-based tandem assembly (SSRTA) that can combine biological parts into devices, pathways, and systems. Here, four serine integrases, ϕBT1, TG1, ϕRv1, and Bxb1, were investigated to ascertain their in vitro DNA assembly activities. Bxb1 integrase displayed the highest efficiency to obtain final products. Thus, we conclude that Bxb1 integrase is an excellent choice for DNA assembly in vitro Using this enzyme and its recognition sites, BioBrick standards were designed that are compatible with the SSRTA method for module addition. A rapid and efficient procedure was developed for the assembly of a multigene metabolic pathway in one step, directly from non-cutting plasmids containing the gene fragments. This technique is easy and convenient, and would be of interest to the synthetic biology community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Biao Tang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-Products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Yu Ye
- Department of Microbiology and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yayi Mao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiaolai Lei
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Guoping Zhao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Microbiology and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoming Ding
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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81
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Abstract
The assembly of multiple DNA parts into a larger DNA construct is a requirement in most synthetic biology laboratories. Here we describe a method for the efficient, high-throughput, assembly of DNA utilizing the ligase chain reaction (LCR). The LCR method utilizes non-overlapping DNA parts that are ligated together with the guidance of bridging oligos. Using this method, we have successfully assembled up to 20 DNA parts in a single reaction or DNA constructs up to 26 kb in size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Chandran
- Amyris, Inc., 5885 Hollis Street, Suite 100, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.
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82
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Li SY, Zhao GP, Wang J. C-Brick: A New Standard for Assembly of Biological Parts Using Cpf1. ACS Synth Biol 2016; 5:1383-1388. [PMID: 27294364 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
So far, several DNA assembly standards have been developed, enabling scientists to conveniently share and modify characterized DNA parts. However, a majority of the restriction endonucleases used in these standards bear short recognition sites (e.g., 6 bps in BioBrick standard), which are widely distributed and need to be removed before further construction, causing much inconvenience. Although homing endonucleases, which recognize long DNA sequences, can be used for DNA assembly (e.g., iBrick standard), long scars will be left between parts, limiting their application. Here, we introduce a new DNA assembly standard, namely C-Brick, which employs the newly identified class 2 type V CRISPR-Cas systems protein Cpf1 endonuclease. C-Brick integrates both advantages of long recognition sites and short scars. With C-Brick standard, three chromoprotein cassettes were assembled and further expressed in Escherichia coli, producing colorful pigments. Moreover, C-Brick standard is also partially compatible with the BglBrick and BioBrick standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Yuan Li
- Key
Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and
Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20032, China
| | - Guo-Ping Zhao
- Key
Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and
Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20032, China
- Shanghai-MOST
Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, China
- State Key Lab of Genetic Engineering & Center for Synthetic Biology; Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department
of Microbiology and Li KaShing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Key
Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and
Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 20032, China
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83
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Abstract
Parallel DNA assembly methods allow multiple fragments of DNA to be compiled in a desired order in a single reaction. Several methods enable the efficient one-step assembly of multiple DNA parts into a suitable plasmid acceptor at high efficiency. Type IIS-mediated assembly offers the specific advantage of a one-step reaction that does not require proprietary reagents or the amplification and purification of linear DNA fragments. Instead, multiple plasmids housing standardized DNA parts of interest are combined in an enzyme cocktail. To make these standard parts, DNA sequences with defined functions are assigned specific sequence features. This allows parts to be interoperable and reusable. The availability of collections of DNA parts and molecular toolkits that allow the facile assembly of multigene binary constructs and the establishment of standards for the creation of new parts means Type IIS-mediated assembly has become a powerful technology for modern plant molecular biologists. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J Patron
- The Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
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84
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Abstract
The diversity and natural modularity of their biosynthetic pathways has turned natural products into attractive, but challenging, targets for synthetic biology approaches. Here, we discuss the current state of the field, highlighting recent advances and remaining bottlenecks. Global genomic assessments of natural product biosynthetic capacities across large parts of microbial diversity provide a first survey of the available natural parts libraries and identify evolutionary design rules for further engineering. Methods for compound and pathway detection and characterization are developed increasingly on the basis of synthetic biology tools, contributing to an accelerated translation of genomic information into usable building blocks for pathway assembly. A wide range of methods is also becoming available for accessing ever larger parts of chemical space by rational diversification of natural products, guided by rapid progress in our understanding of the underlying biochemistry and enzymatic mechanisms. Enhanced genome assembly and editing tools, adapted to the needs of natural products research, facilitate the realization of ambitious engineering strategies, ranging from combinatorial library generation to high-throughput optimization of product titers. Together, these tools and concepts contribute to the emergence of a new generation of revitalized natural product research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Breitling
- Manchester Centre for Synthetic Biology of Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Eriko Takano
- Manchester Centre for Synthetic Biology of Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, United Kingdom
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85
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Jin P, Ding W, Du G, Chen J, Kang Z. DATEL: A Scarless and Sequence-Independent DNA Assembly Method Using Thermostable Exonucleases and Ligase. ACS Synth Biol 2016; 5:1028-32. [PMID: 27230689 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
DNA assembly is a pivotal technique in synthetic biology. Here, we report a scarless and sequence-independent DNA assembly method using thermal exonucleases (Taq and Pfu DNA polymerases) and Taq DNA ligase (DATEL). Under the optimized conditions, DATEL allows rapid assembly of 2-10 DNA fragments (1-2 h) with high accuracy (between 74 and 100%). Owing to the simple operation system with denaturation-annealing-cleavage-ligation temperature cycles in one tube, DATEL is expected to be a desirable choice for both manual and automated high-throughput assembly of DNA fragments, which will greatly facilitate the rapid progress of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Jin
- The
Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education,
School of Biotechnology, ‡The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and
Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, and §Synergetic Innovation Center of Food
Safety and Nutrition, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Wenwen Ding
- The
Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education,
School of Biotechnology, ‡The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and
Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, and §Synergetic Innovation Center of Food
Safety and Nutrition, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Guocheng Du
- The
Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education,
School of Biotechnology, ‡The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and
Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, and §Synergetic Innovation Center of Food
Safety and Nutrition, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Jian Chen
- The
Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education,
School of Biotechnology, ‡The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and
Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, and §Synergetic Innovation Center of Food
Safety and Nutrition, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Kang
- The
Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education,
School of Biotechnology, ‡The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and
Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, and §Synergetic Innovation Center of Food
Safety and Nutrition, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
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86
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Lakhundi SS, Duedu KO, Cain N, Nagy R, Krakowiak J, French CE. Citrobacter freundii as a test platform for recombinant cellulose degradation systems. Lett Appl Microbiol 2016; 64:35-42. [PMID: 27617802 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Revised: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cellulosic biomass represents a huge reservoir of renewable carbon, but converting it into useful products is challenging. Attempts to transfer cellulose degradation capability to industrially useful micro-organisms have met with limited success, possibly due to poorly understood synergy between multiple cellulases. This is best studied by co-expression of many combinations of cellulases and associated proteins. Here, we describe the development of a test platform based on Citrobacter freundii, a cellobiose-assimilating organism closely related to Escherichia coli. Standard E. coli cloning vectors worked well in Cit. freundii. Expression of cellulases CenA and Cex of Cellulomonas fimi in Cit. freundii gave recombinant strains which were able to grow at the expense of cellulosic filter paper or microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) in a mineral medium supplemented with a small amount of yeast extract. Periodic physical agitation of the cultures was highly beneficial for growth at the expense of filter paper. This provides a test platform for the expression of combinations of genes encoding biomass-degrading enzymes to develop effective genetic cassettes for degradation of different biomass streams. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Biofuels have been shown to be the best sustainable and alternative source of fuel to replace fossil fuels. Of the different types of feedstocks used for producing biofuels, lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant. Converting this biomass to useful products has met with little success. Different approaches are being used and microbial platforms are the most promising and sustainable method. This study shows that Citrobacter freundii is a better test platform than Escherichia coli for testing various combinations of cellulases for the development of microbial systems for biomass conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Lakhundi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - K O Duedu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Basic & Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - N Cain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - R Nagy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J Krakowiak
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - C E French
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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87
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Medema MH, Osbourn A. Computational genomic identification and functional reconstitution of plant natural product biosynthetic pathways. Nat Prod Rep 2016; 33:951-62. [PMID: 27321668 PMCID: PMC4987707 DOI: 10.1039/c6np00035e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 2003 to 2016The last decade has seen the first major discoveries regarding the genomic basis of plant natural product biosynthetic pathways. Four key computationally driven strategies have been developed to identify such pathways, which make use of physical clustering, co-expression, evolutionary co-occurrence and epigenomic co-regulation of the genes involved in producing a plant natural product. Here, we discuss how these approaches can be used for the discovery of plant biosynthetic pathways encoded by both chromosomally clustered and non-clustered genes. Additionally, we will discuss opportunities to prioritize plant gene clusters for experimental characterization, and end with a forward-looking perspective on how synthetic biology technologies will allow effective functional reconstitution of candidate pathways using a variety of genetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marnix H. Medema
- Bioinformatics Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands .
| | - Anne Osbourn
- Department of Metabolic Biology , John Innes Centre , Norwich Research Park , Norwich , UK .
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88
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Sainz de Murieta I, Bultelle M, Kitney RI. Toward the First Data Acquisition Standard in Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2016; 5:817-26. [PMID: 26854090 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5b00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the development of a new data acquisition standard for synthetic biology. This comprises the creation of a methodology that is designed to capture all the data, metadata, and protocol information associated with biopart characterization experiments. The new standard, called DICOM-SB, is based on the highly successful Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard in medicine. A data model is described which has been specifically developed for synthetic biology. The model is a modular, extensible data model for the experimental process, which can optimize data storage for large amounts of data. DICOM-SB also includes services orientated toward the automatic exchange of data and information between modalities and repositories. DICOM-SB has been developed in the context of systematic design in synthetic biology, which is based on the engineering principles of modularity, standardization, and characterization. The systematic design approach utilizes the design, build, test, and learn design cycle paradigm. DICOM-SB has been designed to be compatible with and complementary to other standards in synthetic biology, including SBOL. In this regard, the software provides effective interoperability. The new standard has been tested by experiments and data exchange between Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Imperial College London.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñaki Sainz de Murieta
- Centre
for Synthetic Biology and Innovation, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Department
of BioEngineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Matthieu Bultelle
- Centre
for Synthetic Biology and Innovation, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Department
of BioEngineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Richard I Kitney
- Centre
for Synthetic Biology and Innovation, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Department
of BioEngineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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89
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Zhou J, Wu R, Xue X, Qin Z. CasHRA (Cas9-facilitated Homologous Recombination Assembly) method of constructing megabase-sized DNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:e124. [PMID: 27220470 PMCID: PMC5001600 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Current DNA assembly methods for preparing highly purified linear subassemblies require complex and time-consuming in vitro manipulations that hinder their ability to construct megabase-sized DNAs (e.g. synthetic genomes). We have developed a new method designated 'CasHRA (Cas9-facilitated Homologous Recombination Assembly)' that directly uses large circular DNAs in a one-step in vivo assembly process. The large circular DNAs are co-introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae by protoplast fusion, and they are cleaved by RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease to release the linear DNA segments for subsequent assembly by the endogenous homologous recombination system. The CasHRA method allows efficient assembly of multiple large DNA segments in vivo; thus, this approach should be useful in the last stage of genome construction. As a proof of concept, we combined CasHRA with an upstream assembly method (Gibson procedure of genome assembly) and successfully constructed a 1.03 Mb MGE-syn1.0 (Minimal Genome of Escherichia coli) that contained 449 essential genes and 267 important growth genes. We expect that CasHRA will be widely used in megabase-sized genome constructions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianting Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ronghai Wu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoli Xue
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhongjun Qin
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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90
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Gimpel JA, Nour-Eldin HH, Scranton MA, Li D, Mayfield SP. Refactoring the Six-Gene Photosystem II Core in the Chloroplast of the Green Algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. ACS Synth Biol 2016. [PMID: 26214707 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5b00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Oxygenic photosynthesis provides the energy to produce all food and most of the fuel on this planet. Photosystem II (PSII) is an essential and rate-limiting component of this process. Understanding and modifying PSII function could provide an opportunity for optimizing photosynthetic biomass production, particularly under specific environmental conditions. PSII is a complex multisubunit enzyme with strong interdependence among its components. In this work, we have deleted the six core genes of PSII in the eukaryotic alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and refactored them in a single DNA construct. Complementation of the knockout strain with the core PSII synthetic module from three different green algae resulted in reconstitution of photosynthetic activity to 85, 55, and 53% of that of the wild-type, demonstrating that the PSII core can be exchanged between algae species and retain function. The strains, synthetic cassettes, and refactoring strategy developed for this study demonstrate the potential of synthetic biology approaches for tailoring oxygenic photosynthesis and provide a powerful tool for unraveling PSII structure-function relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A. Gimpel
- California Center for Algae
Biotechnology Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0368, United States
| | - Hussam H. Nour-Eldin
- California Center for Algae
Biotechnology Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0368, United States
| | - Melissa A. Scranton
- California Center for Algae
Biotechnology Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0368, United States
| | - Daphne Li
- California Center for Algae
Biotechnology Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0368, United States
| | - Stephen P. Mayfield
- California Center for Algae
Biotechnology Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0368, United States
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91
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Cheng JK, Lewis AM, Kim DS, Dyess T, Alper HS. Identifying and retargeting transcriptional hot spots in the human genome. Biotechnol J 2016; 11:1100-9. [PMID: 27311394 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201600015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian cell line development requires streamlined methodologies that will reduce both the cost and time to identify candidate cell lines. Improvements in site-specific genomic editing techniques can result in flexible, predictable, and robust cell line engineering. However, an outstanding question in the field is the specific site of integration. Here, we seek to identify productive loci within the human genome that will result in stable, high expression of heterologous DNA. Using an unbiased, random integration approach and a green fluorescent reporter construct, we identify ten single-integrant, recombinant human cell lines that exhibit stable, high-level expression. From these cell lines, eight unique corresponding integration loci were identified. These loci are concentrated in non-protein coding regions or intronic regions of protein coding genes. Expression mapping of the surrounding genes reveals minimal disruption of endogenous gene expression. Finally, we demonstrate that targeted de novo integration at one of the identified loci, the 12(th) exon-intron region of the GRIK1 gene on chromosome 21, results in superior expression and stability compared to the standard, illegitimate integration approach at levels approaching 4-fold. The information identified here along with recent advances in site-specific genomic editing techniques can lead to expedited cell line development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph K Cheng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Amanda M Lewis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.,Biologics Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Devens, MA, USA
| | - Do Soon Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Timothy Dyess
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA. .,Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
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92
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Characterizing seamless ligation cloning extract for synthetic biological applications. Anal Biochem 2016; 509:24-32. [PMID: 27311554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2016.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims at designing and engineering organisms. The engineering process typically requires the establishment of suitable DNA constructs generated through fusion of multiple protein coding and regulatory sequences. Conventional cloning techniques, including those involving restriction enzymes and ligases, are often of limited scope, in particular when many DNA fragments must be joined or scar-free fusions are mandatory. Overlap-based-cloning methods have the potential to overcome such limitations. One such method uses seamless ligation cloning extract (SLiCE) prepared from Escherichia coli cells for straightforward and efficient in vitro fusion of DNA fragments. Here, we systematically characterized extracts prepared from the unmodified E. coli strain DH10B for SLiCE-mediated cloning and determined DNA sequence-associated parameters that affect cloning efficiency. Our data revealed the virtual absence of length restrictions for vector backbone (up to 13.5 kbp) and insert (90 bp to 1.6 kbp). Furthermore, differences in GC content in homology regions are easily tolerated and the deletion of unwanted vector sequences concomitant with targeted fragment insertion is straightforward. Thus, SLiCE represents a highly versatile DNA fusion method suitable for cloning projects in virtually all molecular and synthetic biology projects.
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93
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Abstract
The genetic, physiological and metabolic diversity of microalgae has driven fundamental research into photosynthesis, flagella structure and function, and eukaryotic evolution. Within the last 10 years these organisms have also been investigated as potential biotechnology platforms, for example to produce high value compounds such as long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments and antioxidants, and for biodiesel precursors, in particular triacylglycerols (TAGs). Transformation protocols, molecular tools and genome sequences are available for a number of model species including the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, although for both species there are bottlenecks to be overcome to allow rapid and predictable genetic manipulation. One approach to do this would be to apply the principles of synthetic biology to microalgae, namely the cycle of Design-Build-Test, which requires more robust, predictable and high throughput methods. In this mini-review we highlight recent progress in the areas of improving transgene expression, genome editing, identification and design of standard genetic elements (parts), and the use of microfluidics to increase throughput. We suggest that combining these approaches will provide the means to establish algal synthetic biology, and that application of standard parts and workflows will avoid parallel development and capitalize on lessons learned from other systems.
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94
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Abstract
Since the description, in 2000, of two artificial gene networks, synthetic
biology has emerged as a new engineering discipline that catalyzes a change of
culture in the life sciences. Recombinant DNA can now be fabricated rather than
cloned. Instead of focusing on the development of ad-hoc assembly strategies,
molecular biologists can outsource the fabrication of synthetic DNA molecules to
a network of DNA foundries. Model-driven product development cycles that clearly
identify design, build, and test phases are becoming as common in the life
sciences as they have been in other engineering fields. A movement of citizen
scientists with roots in community labs throughout the world is trying to
democratize genetic engineering. It challenges the life science establishment
just like visionaries in the 70s advocated that computing should be personal at
a time when access to computers was mostly the privilege of government
scientists. Synthetic biology is a cultural revolution that will have far
reaching implications for the biotechnology industry. The work of synthetic
biologists today prefigures a new generation of cyber-biological systems that
may to lead to the 5th industrial revolution. By catering to the
scientific publishing needs of all members of a diverse community,
Synthetic Biology hopes to do its part to support the
development of this new engineering discipline, catalyze the culture changes it
calls for, and foster the development of a new industry far into the twenty
first century.
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95
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Kanigowska P, Shen Y, Zheng Y, Rosser S, Cai Y. Smart DNA Fabrication Using Sound Waves: Applying Acoustic Dispensing Technologies to Synthetic Biology. JOURNAL OF LABORATORY AUTOMATION 2016; 21:49-56. [PMID: 26163567 PMCID: PMC4814025 DOI: 10.1177/2211068215593754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Acoustic droplet ejection (ADE) technology uses focused acoustic energy to transfer nanoliter-scale liquid droplets with high precision and accuracy. This noncontact, tipless, low-volume dispensing technology minimizes the possibility of cross-contamination and potentially reduces the costs of reagents and consumables. To date, acoustic dispensers have mainly been used in screening libraries of compounds. In this paper, we describe the first application of this powerful technology to the rapidly developing field of synthetic biology, for DNA synthesis and assembly at the nanoliter scale using a Labcyte Echo 550 acoustic dispenser. We were able to successfully downscale PCRs and the popular one-pot DNA assembly methods, Golden Gate and Gibson assemblies, from the microliter to the nanoliter scale with high assembly efficiency, which effectively cut the reagent cost by 20- to 100-fold. We envision that acoustic dispensing will become an instrumental technology in synthetic biology, in particular in the era of DNA foundries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Kanigowska
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yue Shen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, UK BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yijing Zheng
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Susan Rosser
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yizhi Cai
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, UK
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96
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Yuan Y, Andersen E, Zhao H. Flexible and Versatile Strategy for the Construction of Large Biochemical Pathways. ACS Synth Biol 2016; 5:46-52. [PMID: 26332374 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5b00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic pathways and circuits have been increasingly used for microbial production of fuels and chemicals. Here, we report a flexible and versatile DNA assembly strategy that allows rapid, modular, and reliable construction of biological pathways and circuits from basic genetic parts. This strategy combines the automation-friendly ligase cycling reaction (LCR) method and the high-fidelity in vivo yeast-based DNA assembly method, DNA assembler. Briefly, LCR is used to preassemble basic genetic parts into gene expression cassettes or to preassemble small parts into larger parts to reduce the number of parts, in which many basic genetic parts can be reused. With the help of specially designed unique linkers, all preassembled parts will then be directly assembled using DNA assembler to build the target constructs. As proof of concept, three plasmids with varying sizes of 13.4, 24, and 44 kb were rapidly constructed with fidelities of 100, 88, and 71%, respectively. The yeast strain harboring the constructed 44 kb plasmid was confirmed to be capable of utilizing xylose, cellobiose, and glucose to produce zeaxanthin. This strategy should be generally applicable to any custom-designed pathways, circuits, or plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbo Yuan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,
Institute for
Genomic Biology, ‡Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Erik Andersen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,
Institute for
Genomic Biology, ‡Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,
Institute for
Genomic Biology, ‡Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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97
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Manzoni R, Urrios A, Velazquez-Garcia S, de Nadal E, Posas F. Synthetic biology: insights into biological computation. Integr Biol (Camb) 2016; 8:518-32. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00274e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology attempts to rationally engineer biological systems in order to perform desired functions. Our increasing understanding of biological systems guides this rational design, while the huge background in electronics for building circuits defines the methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romilde Manzoni
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Arturo Urrios
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Silvia Velazquez-Garcia
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Eulàlia de Nadal
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Francesc Posas
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
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98
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Weninger A, Killinger M, Vogl T. Key Methods for Synthetic Biology: Genome Engineering and DNA Assembly. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22708-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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99
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Kadkhodaei S, Memari HR, Abbasiliasi S, Rezaei MA, Movahedi A, Shun TJ, Ariff AB. Multiple overlap extension PCR (MOE-PCR): an effective technical shortcut to high throughput synthetic biology. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra13172g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study describes multiple-overlap-extension PCR (MOE-PCR) as a simple and effective approach to assembling multiple DNA fragments with various sizes and features in a single in vitro reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Kadkhodaei
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture
- Universiti Putra Malaysia
- 43400 UPM Serdang
- Malaysia
| | - Hamid Rajabi Memari
- Biotechnology and Life Science Center
- Shahid Chamran University
- Ahvaz 6135783151
- Iran
- SynHiTech
| | - Sahar Abbasiliasi
- Laboratory of Halal Science Research
- Halal Products Research Institute
- Universiti Putra Malaysia
- 43400 UPM Serdang
- Malaysia
| | | | - Ali Movahedi
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology
- Nanjing Forestry University
- Nanjing 210037
- China
| | - Tan Joo Shun
- Bioprocess Technology
- School of Industrial Technology
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Malaysia
| | - Arbakariya Bin Ariff
- Department of Bioprocess Technology
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences
- Universiti Putra Malaysia
- 43400 UPM Serdang
- Malaysia
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100
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Strategies and Methodologies for the Co-expression of Multiple Proteins in Plants. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 896:263-85. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27216-0_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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