101
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Engineering microbial diagnostics and therapeutics with smart control. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 66:11-17. [PMID: 32563763 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Microbes have become an increasingly powerful chassis for developing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. While many of the earlier engineering efforts used microbes that expressed relevant proteins constitutively, more microbes are being engineered to express them with region-selectivity and disease-responsiveness through biosensors. Such 'smart' microbes have been developed to diagnose and treat a wide range of disorders and diseases, including bacterial infections, cancers, inflammatory disorders, and metabolic disorders. In this review, we discuss synthetic biology technologies that have been applied to engineer microbes for biomedical applications, focusing on recent reports that demonstrate microbial sensing by using animal models or clinical samples. Advances in synthetic biology will enable engineered microbes to significantly improve the medical field.
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102
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Stirling F, Silver PA. Controlling the Implementation of Transgenic Microbes: Are We Ready for What Synthetic Biology Has to Offer? Mol Cell 2020; 78:614-623. [PMID: 32442504 PMCID: PMC7307494 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has promised and delivered on an impressive array of applications based on genetically modified microorganisms. While novel biotechnology undoubtedly offers benefits, like all new technology, precautions should be considered during implementation to reduce the risk of both known and unknown adverse effects. To achieve containment of transgenic microorganisms, confidence to a near-scientific certainty that they cannot transfer their transgenic genes to other organisms, and that they cannot survive to propagate in unintended environments, is a priority. Here, we present an in-depth summary of biological containment systems for micro-organisms published to date, including the production of a genetic firewall through genome recoding and physical containment of microbes using auxotrophies, regulation of essential genes, and expression of toxic genes. The level of containment required to consider a transgenic organism suitable for deployment is discussed, as well as standards of practice for developing new containment systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Stirling
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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103
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Zheng Y, Meng F, Zhu Z, Wei W, Sun Z, Chen J, Yu B, Lou C, Chen GQ. A tight cold-inducible switch built by coupling thermosensitive transcriptional and proteolytic regulatory parts. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:e137. [PMID: 31750522 PMCID: PMC6868347 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural organisms have evolved intricate regulatory mechanisms that sense and respond to fluctuating environmental temperatures in a heat- or cold-inducible fashion. Unlike dominant heat-inducible switches, very few cold-inducible genetic switches are available in either natural or engineered systems. Moreover, the available cold-inducible switches still have many shortcomings, including high leaky gene expression, small dynamic range (<10-fold) or broad transition temperature (>10°C). To address these problems, a high-performance cold-inducible switch that can tightly control target gene expression is highly desired. Here, we introduce a tight and fast cold-inducible switch that couples two evolved thermosensitive variants, TFts and TEVts, as well as an additional Mycoplasma florum Lon protease (mf-Lon) to effectively turn-off target gene expression via transcriptional and proteolytic mechanisms. We validated the function of the switch in different culture media and various Escherichia coli strains and demonstrated its tightness by regulating two morphogenetic bacterial genes and expressing three heat-unstable recombinant proteins, respectively. Moreover, the additional protease module enabled the cold-inducible switch to actively remove the pre-existing proteins in slow-growing cells. This work establishes a high-performance cold-inducible system for tight and fast control of gene expression which has great potential for basic research, as well as industrial and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zheng
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fankang Meng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100149, China
| | - Zihui Zhu
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Weijia Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100149, China
| | - Zhi Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100149, China
| | - Jinchun Chen
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bo Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chunbo Lou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100149, China.,College of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Chen
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial Biocatalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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104
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Stirling F, Naydich A, Bramante J, Barocio R, Certo M, Wellington H, Redfield E, O’Keefe S, Gao S, Cusolito A, Way J, Silver P. Synthetic Cassettes for pH-Mediated Sensing, Counting, and Containment. Cell Rep 2020; 30:3139-3148.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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105
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Gamboa L, Phung EV, Li H, Meyers JP, Hart AC, Miller IC, Kwong GA. Heat-Triggered Remote Control of CRISPR-dCas9 for Tunable Transcriptional Modulation. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:533-542. [PMID: 31904924 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b01005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) are enabling powerful new approaches to control mammalian cell functions, yet the lack of spatially defined, noninvasive modalities limits their use as biological tools. Here, we integrate thermal gene switches with dCas9 complexes to confer remote control of gene activation and suppression with short pulses of heat. Using a thermal switch constructed from the heat shock protein A6 (HSPA6) locus, we show that a single heat pulse 3-5 °C above basal temperature is sufficient to trigger expression of dCas9 complexes. We demonstrate that dCas9 fused to the transcriptional activator VP64 is functional after heat activation, and, depending on the number of heat pulses, drives transcription of endogenous genes GzmB and CCL21 to levels equivalent to that achieved by a constitutive viral promoter. Across a range of input temperatures, we find that downstream protein expression of GzmB closely correlates with transcript levels (R2 = 0.99). Using dCas9 fused with the transcriptional suppressor KRAB, we show that longitudinal suppression of the reporter d2GFP depends on key thermal input parameters including pulse magnitude, number of pulses, and dose fractionation. In living mice, we extend our study using photothermal heating to spatially target implanted cells to suppress d2GFP in vivo. Our study establishes a noninvasive and targeted approach to harness Cas-based proteins for modulation of gene expression to complement current methods for remote control of cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Gamboa
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Erick V. Phung
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Haoxin Li
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Jared P. Meyers
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Anna C. Hart
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Ian C. Miller
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Gabriel A. Kwong
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Integrated Cancer Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Georgia Immunoengineering Consortium, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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106
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Gamboa L, Zamat AH, Kwong GA. Synthetic immunity by remote control. Theranostics 2020; 10:3652-3667. [PMID: 32206114 PMCID: PMC7069089 DOI: 10.7150/thno.41305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based immunotherapies, such as T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), have the potential to cure patients of disease otherwise refractory to conventional treatments. Early-on-treatment and long-term durability of patient responses depend critically on the ability to control the potency of adoptively transferred T cells, as overactivation can lead to complications like cytokine release syndrome, and immunosuppression can result in ineffective responses to therapy. Drugs or biologics (e.g., cytokines) that modulate immune activity are limited by mass transport barriers that reduce the local effective drug concentration, and lack site or target cell specificity that results in toxicity. Emerging technologies that enable site-targeted, remote control of key T cell functions - including proliferation, antigen-sensing, and target-cell killing - have the potential to increase treatment precision and safety profile. These technologies are broadly applicable to other immune cells to expand immune cell therapies across many cancers and diseases. In this review, we highlight the opportunities, challenges and the current state-of-the-art for remote control of synthetic immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Gamboa
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Ali H. Zamat
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gabriel A. Kwong
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Integrated Cancer Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Georgia Immunoengineering Consortium, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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107
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Gao X, Jiang Y, Lin Y, Kim KH, Fang Y, Yi J, Meng L, Lee HC, Lu Z, Leddy O, Zhang R, Tu Q, Feng W, Nair V, Griffin PJ, Shi F, Shekhawat GS, Dinner AR, Park HG, Tian B. Structured silicon for revealing transient and integrated signal transductions in microbial systems. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaay2760. [PMID: 32110728 PMCID: PMC7021504 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay2760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial response to transient physical stress is critical to their homeostasis and survival in the dynamic natural environment. Because of the lack of biophysical tools capable of delivering precise and localized physical perturbations to a bacterial community, the underlying mechanism of microbial signal transduction has remained unexplored. Here, we developed multiscale and structured silicon (Si) materials as nongenetic optical transducers capable of modulating the activities of both single bacterial cells and biofilms at high spatiotemporal resolution. Upon optical stimulation, we capture a previously unidentified form of rapid, photothermal gradient-dependent, intercellular calcium signaling within the biofilm. We also found an unexpected coupling between calcium dynamics and biofilm mechanics, which could be of importance for biofilm resistance. Our results suggest that functional integration of Si materials and bacteria, and associated control of signal transduction, may lead to hybrid living matter toward future synthetic biology and adaptable materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gao
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Corresponding author. (B.T.); (H.-G.P.); (X.G.)
| | - Yuanwen Jiang
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yiliang Lin
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kyoung-Ho Kim
- Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physics, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Yin Fang
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jaeseok Yi
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lingyuan Meng
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hoo-Cheol Lee
- Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhiyue Lu
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Owen Leddy
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Qing Tu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Wei Feng
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Vishnu Nair
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Philip J. Griffin
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Fengyuan Shi
- Research Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Gajendra S. Shekhawat
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Aaron R. Dinner
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hong-Gyu Park
- Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. (B.T.); (H.-G.P.); (X.G.)
| | - Bozhi Tian
- James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Corresponding author. (B.T.); (H.-G.P.); (X.G.)
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108
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Rottinghaus AG, Amrofell MB, Moon TS. Biosensing in Smart Engineered Probiotics. Biotechnol J 2020; 15:e1900319. [PMID: 31860168 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201900319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Engineered microbes are exciting alternatives to current diagnostics and therapeutics. Researchers have developed a wide range of genetic tools and parts to engineer probiotic and commensal microbes. Among these tools and parts, biosensors allow the microbes to sense and record or to sense and respond to chemical and environmental signals in the body, enabling them to report on health conditions of the animal host and/or deliver therapeutics in a controlled manner. This review focuses on how biosensing is applied to engineer "smart" microbes for in vivo diagnostic, therapeutic, and biocontainment goals. Hurdles that need to be overcome when transitioning from high-throughput in vitro systems to low-throughput in vivo animal models, new technologies that can be implemented to alleviate this experimental gap, and areas where future advancements can be made to maximize the utility of biosensing for medical applications are also discussed. As technologies for engineering microbes continue to be developed, these engineered organisms will be used to address many medical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin G Rottinghaus
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Matthew B Amrofell
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.,Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
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109
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Abstract
Protein-protein interactions and protein localization are essential mechanisms of cellular signal transduction. The ability to externally control such interactions using chemical and optogenetic methods has facilitated biological research and provided components for the engineering of cell-based therapies and materials. However, chemical and optical methods are limited in their ability to provide spatiotemporal specificity in light-scattering tissues. To overcome these limitations, we present "thermomers", modular protein dimerization domains controlled with temperature-a form of energy that can be delivered to cells both globally and locally in a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo contexts. Thermomers are based on a sharply thermolabile coiled-coil protein, which we engineered to heterodimerize at a tunable transition temperature within the biocompatible range of 37-42 °C. When fused to other proteins, thermomers can reversibly control their association, as demonstrated via membrane localization in mammalian cells. This technology enables remote control of intracellular protein-protein interactions with a form of energy that can be delivered with spatiotemporal precision in a wide range of biological, therapeutic, and living material scenarios.
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110
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Szablowski JO, Bar-Zion A, Shapiro MG. Achieving Spatial and Molecular Specificity with Ultrasound-Targeted Biomolecular Nanotherapeutics. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:2427-2434. [PMID: 31397992 PMCID: PMC7462121 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The precise targeting of cells in deep tissues is one of the primary goals of nanomedicine. However, targeting a specific cellular population within an entire organism is challenging due to off-target effects and the need for deep tissue delivery. Focused ultrasound can reduce off-targeted effects by spatially restricting the delivery or action of molecular constructs to specific anatomical sites. Ultrasound can also increase the efficiency of nanotherapeutic delivery into deep tissues by enhancing the permeability of tissue boundaries, promoting convection, or depositing energy to actuate cellular activity. In this review we focus on the interface between biomolecular engineering and focused ultrasound and describe the applications of this intersection in neuroscience, oncology, and synthetic biology. Ultrasound can be used to trigger the transport of therapeutic payloads into a range of tissues, including specific regions of the brain, where it can be targeted with millimeter precision through intact skull. Locally delivered molecular constructs can then control specific cells and molecular pathways within the targeted region. When combined with viral vectors and engineered neural receptors, this technique enables noninvasive control of specific circuits and behaviors. The penetrant energy of ultrasound can also be used to more directly actuate micro- and nanotherapeutic constructs, including microbubbles, vaporizable nanodroplets, and polymeric nanocups, which nucleate cavitation upon ultrasound exposure, leading to local mechanical effects. In addition, it was recently discovered that a unique class of acoustic biomolecules-genetically encodable nanoscale protein structures called gas vesicles-can be acoustically "detonated" as sources of inertial cavitation. This enables the targeted disruption of selected cells within the area of insonation by gas vesicles that are engineered to bind cell surface receptors. It also facilitates ultrasound-triggered release of molecular payloads from engineered therapeutic cells heterologously expressing intracellular gas vesicles. Finally, focused ultrasound energy can be used to locally elevate tissue temperature and activate temperature-sensitive proteins and pathways. The elevation of temperature allows noninvasive control of gene expression in vivo in cells engineered to express thermal bioswitches. Overall, the intersection of biomolecular engineering, nanomaterials and focused ultrasound can provide unparalleled specificity in controlling, modulating, and treating physiological processes in deep tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy O. Szablowski
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Avinoam Bar-Zion
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Mikhail G. Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
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111
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Gao C, Xu P, Ye C, Chen X, Liu L. Genetic Circuit-Assisted Smart Microbial Engineering. Trends Microbiol 2019; 27:1011-1024. [PMID: 31421969 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Rapid advances in DNA synthesis, genetic manipulation, and biosensors have greatly improved the ability to engineer microorganisms with complex functions. By accurately integrating quality biosensors and complex genetic circuits, recently emerged smart microorganisms have enabled exciting opportunities for dissecting complex signaling networks and making responses without artificial intervention. However, because of the lack of design principles, developing such smart microorganisms remains challenging. In this review, we propose the concept of smart microbial engineering (SME) and describe the general features of basic SME, including the circuit architecture, components, and design process. We also summarize the latest SME achievements, remaining challenges, and potential solutions in this growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Peng Xu
- Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Chao Ye
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Liming 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; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
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112
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Jia H, Heymann M, Härtel T, Kai L, Schwille P. Temperature-sensitive protein expression in protocells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:6421-6424. [PMID: 31094370 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc02734c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We engineered a synthetic temperature regulation toolbox to enable protocells to sense and respond to heat, utilizing RNA thermometers. The thermo-sensitive protocells were generated by encapsulating temperature feedback transcription/translation machinery in droplets. Based on these temperature-sensing devices, the protocells can be operated with logic AND gates, differentially processing temperature stimuli into biological signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Jia
- Dept. Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, D - 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Michael Heymann
- Dept. Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, D - 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Tobias Härtel
- Dept. Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, D - 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Lei Kai
- Dept. Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, D - 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Petra Schwille
- Dept. Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, D - 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
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113
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Development of bacteria as diagnostics and therapeutics by genetic engineering. J Microbiol 2019; 57:637-643. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-019-9105-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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114
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Xia PF, Ling H, Foo JL, Chang MW. Synthetic genetic circuits for programmable biological functionalities. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107393. [PMID: 31051208 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Living organisms evolve complex genetic networks to interact with the environment. Due to the rapid development of synthetic biology, various modularized genetic parts and units have been identified from these networks. They have been employed to construct synthetic genetic circuits, including toggle switches, oscillators, feedback loops and Boolean logic gates. Building on these circuits, complex genetic machines with capabilities in programmable decision-making could be created. Consequently, these accomplishments have led to novel applications, such as dynamic and autonomous modulation of metabolic networks, directed evolution of biological units, remote and targeted diagnostics and therapies, as well as biological containment methods to prevent release of engineered microorganisms and genetic materials. Herein, we outline the principles in genetic circuit design that have initiated a new chapter in transforming concepts to realistic applications. The features of modularized building blocks and circuit architecture that facilitate realization of circuits for a variety of novel applications are discussed. Furthermore, recent advances and challenges in employing genetic circuits to impart microorganisms with distinct and programmable functionalities are highlighted. We envision that this review gives new insights into the design of synthetic genetic circuits and offers a guideline for the implementation of different circuits in various aspects of biotechnology and bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Xia
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Hua Ling
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Jee Loon Foo
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore.
| | - Matthew Wook Chang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456, Singapore.
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115
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Fan JX, Peng MY, Wang H, Zheng HR, Liu ZL, Li CX, Wang XN, Liu XH, Cheng SX, Zhang XZ. Engineered Bacterial Bioreactor for Tumor Therapy via Fenton-Like Reaction with Localized H 2 O 2 Generation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1808278. [PMID: 30803049 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201808278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology based on bacteria has been displayed in antitumor therapy and shown good performance. In this study, an engineered bacterium Escherichia coli MG1655 is designed with NDH-2 enzyme (respiratory chain enzyme II) overexpression (Ec-pE), which can colonize in tumor regions and increase localized H2 O2 generation. Following from this, magnetic Fe3 O4 nanoparticles are covalently linked to bacteria to act as a catalyst for a Fenton-like reaction, which converts H2 O2 to toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) for tumor therapy. In this constructed bioreactor, the Fenton-like reaction occurs with sustainably synthesized H2 O2 produced by engineered bacteria, and severe tumor apoptosis is induced via the produced toxic •OH. These results show that this bioreactor can achieve effective tumor colonization, and realize a self-supplied therapeutic Fenton-like reaction without additional H2 O2 provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Xuan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Yun Peng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - He Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Hao-Ran Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Zong-Lin Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chu-Xin Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Xia-Nan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Hua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Si-Xue Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Xian-Zheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
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116
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Chavira A, Belda-Ferre P, Kosciolek T, Ali F, Dorrestein PC, Knight R. The Microbiome and Its Potential for Pharmacology. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 260:301-326. [PMID: 31820171 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The human microbiota (the microscopic organisms that inhabit us) and microbiome (their genes) hold considerable potential for improving pharmacological practice. Recent advances in multi-"omics" techniques have dramatically improved our understanding of the constituents of the microbiome and their functions. The implications of this research for human health, including microbiome links to obesity, drug metabolism, neurological diseases, cancer, and many other health conditions, have sparked considerable interest in exploiting the microbiome for targeted therapeutics. Links between microbial pathways and disease states further highlight a rich potential for companion diagnostics and precision medicine approaches. For example, the success of fecal microbiota transplantation to treat Clostridium difficile infection has already started to redefine standard of care with a microbiome-directed therapy. In this review we briefly discuss the nature of human microbial ecosystems and with pathologies and biological processes linked to the microbiome. We then review emerging computational metagenomic, metabolomic, and wet lab techniques researchers are using today to learn about the roles host-microbial interactions have with respect to pharmacological purposes and vice versa. Finally, we describe how drugs affect the microbiome, how the microbiome can impact drug response in different people, and the potential of the microbiome itself as a source of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aries Chavira
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pedro Belda-Ferre
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tomasz Kosciolek
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Farhana Ali
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pieter C Dorrestein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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117
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Pedrolli DB, Ribeiro NV, Squizato PN, de Jesus VN, Cozetto DA. Engineering Microbial Living Therapeutics: The Synthetic Biology Toolbox. Trends Biotechnol 2018; 37:100-115. [PMID: 30318171 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Microbes can be engineered to act like living therapeutics designed to perform specific actions in the human body. From fighting and preventing infections to eliminating tumors and treating metabolic disorders, engineered living systems are the next generation of therapeutics. In recent years, synthetic biologists have greatly expanded the genetic toolbox for microbial living therapeutics, adding sensors, regulators, memory circuits, delivery devices, and kill switches. These advances have paved the way for successful engineering of fully functional living therapeutics, with sensing, production, and biocontainment devices. However, some important tools are still missing from the box. In this review, we cover the most recent biological parts and approaches developed and describe the missing tools needed to build robust living therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle B Pedrolli
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017.
| | - Nathan V Ribeiro
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017
| | - Patrick N Squizato
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017
| | - Victor N de Jesus
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017
| | - Daniel A Cozetto
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, 14800-903 Araraquara, Brazil; Members of Team AQA Unesp at iGEM 2017
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118
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Ozdemir T, Fedorec AJ, Danino T, Barnes CP. Synthetic Biology and Engineered Live Biotherapeutics: Toward Increasing System Complexity. Cell Syst 2018; 7:5-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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119
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Maresca D, Lakshmanan A, Abedi M, Bar-Zion A, Farhadi A, Lu GJ, Szablowski JO, Wu D, Yoo S, Shapiro MG. Biomolecular Ultrasound and Sonogenetics. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2018; 9:229-252. [PMID: 29579400 PMCID: PMC6086606 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-060817-084034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Visualizing and modulating molecular and cellular processes occurring deep within living organisms is fundamental to our study of basic biology and disease. Currently, the most sophisticated tools available to dynamically monitor and control cellular events rely on light-responsive proteins, which are difficult to use outside of optically transparent model systems, cultured cells, or surgically accessed regions owing to strong scattering of light by biological tissue. In contrast, ultrasound is a widely used medical imaging and therapeutic modality that enables the observation and perturbation of internal anatomy and physiology but has historically had limited ability to monitor and control specific cellular processes. Recent advances are beginning to address this limitation through the development of biomolecular tools that allow ultrasound to connect directly to cellular functions such as gene expression. Driven by the discovery and engineering of new contrast agents, reporter genes, and bioswitches, the nascent field of biomolecular ultrasound carries a wave of exciting opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Maresca
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA;
| | - Anupama Lakshmanan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Mohamad Abedi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Avinoam Bar-Zion
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA;
| | - Arash Farhadi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - George J Lu
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA;
| | - Jerzy O Szablowski
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA;
| | - Di Wu
- Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Sangjin Yoo
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA;
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA;
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120
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Miller IC, Castro MG, Maenza J, Weis JP, Kwong GA. Remote Control of Mammalian Cells with Heat-Triggered Gene Switches and Photothermal Pulse Trains. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:1167-1173. [PMID: 29579381 PMCID: PMC5929470 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Engineered T cells are transforming broad fields in biomedicine, yet our ability to control cellular activity at specific anatomical sites remains limited. Here we engineer thermal gene switches to allow spatial and remote control of transcriptional activity using pulses of heat. These gene switches are constructed from the heat shock protein HSP70B' (HSPA6) promoter, show negligible basal transcriptional activity, and activate within an elevated temperature window of 40-45 °C. Using engineered Jurkat T cells implanted in vivo, we use plasmonic photothermal heating to trigger gene expression at specific sites to levels greater than 200-fold. We show that delivery of heat as thermal pulse trains significantly increase cellular thermal tolerance compared to continuous heating curves with identical area-under-the-curve (AUC), enabling long-term control of gene expression in Jurkat T cells. This approach expands the toolkit of remotely controlled genetic devices for basic and translational applications in synthetic immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C. Miller
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Marielena Gamboa Castro
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Joe Maenza
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Jason P. Weis
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Gabriel A. Kwong
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Integrated Cancer Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Georgia Immunoengineering Consortium, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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121
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Fan JX, Li ZH, Liu XH, Zheng DW, Chen Y, Zhang XZ. Bacteria-Mediated Tumor Therapy Utilizing Photothermally-Controlled TNF-α Expression via Oral Administration. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:2373-2380. [PMID: 29558152 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b05323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Oral drug administration is widely adopted for diverse drugs and is convenient to use due to the capability of reaching different parts of the body via the bloodstream. However, it is generally not feasible for biomacromolecular antitumor drugs such as protein and nucleic acids due to the limited absorption through gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the poor tumor targeting. Here, we report a noninvasive thermally sensitive programmable therapetic system using bacteria E. coli MG1655 as an vehicle for tumor treatments via oral administration. Thermally sensitive programmable bacteria (TPB) are transformed with plasmids expressing therapeutic protein TNF-α and then decorated with biomineralized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to obtain TPB@Au. AuNPs and TNF-α plasmids efficaciously protected by TPB in the gut can be transported into internal microcirculation via transcytosis of microfold cells (M cells). After that, the bacteria-based antitumor vehicles accumulate at tumor sites due to the anaerobic bacterial feature of homing to tumor microenvironments. In vitro and in vivo experiments verify the successful delivery of AuNPs and TNF-α plasmids by TPB. Importantly, under remote activation the expression of TNF-α in tumor sites can be procisely controlled by the heat generated from photothermal AuNPs to exert therapeutic actions. The biological security evaluation demonstrates that this strategy would not disturb the balance of intestinal flora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Xuan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education and Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Hao Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education and Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Hua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education and Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
| | - Di-Wei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education and Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education and Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
| | - Xian-Zheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education and Department of Chemistry , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
- The Institute for Advanced Studies , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , People's Republic of China
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122
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Round JL, Palm NW. Causal effects of the microbiota on immune-mediated diseases. Sci Immunol 2018; 3:3/20/eaao1603. [DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aao1603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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123
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Abstract
Our ability to generate bacterial strains with unique and increasingly complex functions has rapidly expanded in recent times. The capacity for DNA synthesis is increasing and costing less; new tools are being developed for fast, large-scale genetic manipulation; and more tested genetic parts are available for use, as is the knowledge of how to use them effectively. These advances promise to unlock an exciting array of 'smart' bacteria for clinical use but will also challenge scientists to better optimize preclinical testing regimes for early identification and validation of promising strains and strategies. Here, we review recent advances in the development and testing of engineered bacterial diagnostics and therapeutics. We highlight new technologies that will assist the development of more complex, robust and reliable engineered bacteria for future clinical applications, and we discuss approaches to more efficiently evaluate engineered strains throughout their preclinical development.
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124
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Barnoy EA, Popovtzer R, Fixler D. Development of a molecular bioswitch using fluorescence lifetime imaging: Incremental activation of fluorescein diacetate. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2018; 11:e201700084. [PMID: 28700140 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Molecular bioswitches offer an invaluable asset in the shift from systemic to targeted treatments. Within the growing arsenal of switches are imaging probes that functionalize only in given locations or situations. Acetate esters are a common fluorescent example, known to activate upon interaction with esterases. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) is one such fluorophore used in cell viability assays. These assays rely on the fact that the compound begins colorless and with no fluorescent signature whatsoever, and only after internalization into cells it is possible to detect a fluorescence signal. In this study, using fluorescence intensity (FI) and fluorescence lifetime (FLT) imaging, FDA is shown to be fluorescent even when unactivated. Furthermore, the FLT is shown to change with pH. Finally, the ability to image FDA in different environments simulated by tissue-imitating phantoms is explored. Altogether, the ability of FDA to serve as a bioswitch when measured using FLT imaging microscopy (FLIM) is assessed. The combination of a spectrum of FDA activation and FLIM serves as a bioswitch, where biologically relevant stimulation can generate detectable and incremental variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eran A Barnoy
- Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Rachela Popovtzer
- Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Dror Fixler
- Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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125
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Potential Applications of the Escherichia coli Heat Shock Response in Synthetic Biology. Trends Biotechnol 2018; 36:186-198. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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126
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Stirling F, Bitzan L, O'Keefe S, Redfield E, Oliver JWK, Way J, Silver PA. Rational Design of Evolutionarily Stable Microbial Kill Switches. Mol Cell 2017; 68:686-697.e3. [PMID: 29149596 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2017.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionary stability of synthetic genetic circuits is key to both the understanding and application of genetic control elements. One useful but challenging situation is a switch between life and death depending on environment. Here are presented "essentializer" and "cryodeath" circuits, which act as kill switches in Escherichia coli. The essentializer element induces cell death upon the loss of a bi-stable cI/Cro memory switch. Cryodeath makes use of a cold-inducible promoter to express a toxin. We employ rational design and a toxin/antitoxin titering approach to produce and screen a small library of potential constructs, in order to select for constructs that are evolutionarily stable. Both kill switches were shown to maintain functionality in vitro for at least 140 generations. Additionally, cryodeath was shown to control the growth environment of a population, with an escape frequency of less than 1 in 105 after 10 days of growth in the mammalian gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Stirling
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lisa Bitzan
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Samuel O'Keefe
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elizabeth Redfield
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John W K Oliver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeffrey Way
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Warren Alpert 536, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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127
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Piraner DI, Farhadi A, Davis HC, Wu D, Maresca D, Szablowski JO, Shapiro MG. Going Deeper: Biomolecular Tools for Acoustic and Magnetic Imaging and Control of Cellular Function. Biochemistry 2017; 56:5202-5209. [PMID: 28782927 PMCID: PMC6058970 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Most cellular phenomena of interest to mammalian biology occur within the context of living tissues and organisms. However, today's most advanced tools for observing and manipulating cellular function, based on fluorescent or light-controlled proteins, work best in cultured cells, transparent model species, or small, surgically accessed anatomical regions. Their reach into deep tissues and larger animals is limited by photon scattering. To overcome this limitation, we must design biochemical tools that interface with more penetrant forms of energy. For example, sound waves and magnetic fields easily permeate most biological tissues, allowing the formation of images and delivery of energy for actuation. These capabilities are widely used in clinical techniques such as diagnostic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, focused ultrasound ablation, and magnetic particle hyperthermia. Each of these modalities offers spatial and temporal precision that could be used to study a multitude of cellular processes in vivo. However, connecting these techniques to cellular functions such as gene expression, proliferation, migration, and signaling requires the development of new biochemical tools that can interact with sound waves and magnetic fields as optogenetic tools interact with photons. Here, we discuss the exciting challenges this poses for biomolecular engineering and provide examples of recent advances pointing the way to greater depth in in vivo cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan I. Piraner
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Arash Farhadi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Hunter C. Davis
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - David Maresca
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Jerzy O. Szablowski
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mikhail G. Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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128
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Chien T, Doshi A, Danino T. Advances in bacterial cancer therapies using synthetic biology. CURRENT OPINION IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2017; 5:1-8. [PMID: 29881788 PMCID: PMC5986102 DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to apply engineering principles to biology by modulating the behavior of living organisms. An emerging application of this field is the engineering of bacteria as a cancer therapy by the programming of therapeutic, safety, and specificity features through genetic modification. Here, we review progress in this engineering including the targeting of bacteria to tumors, specific sensing and response to tumor microenvironments, remote induction methods, and controllable release of therapeutics. We discuss the most prominent bacteria strains used and their specific properties and the types of therapeutics tested thus far. Finally, we note current challenges, such as genetic stability, that researchers must address for successful clinical implementation of this novel therapy in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Chien
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Anjali Doshi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Tal Danino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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129
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Engineering a riboswitch-based genetic platform for the self-directed evolution of acid-tolerant phenotypes. Nat Commun 2017; 8:411. [PMID: 28871084 PMCID: PMC5583362 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00511-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental pH is a fundamental signal continuously directing the metabolism and behavior of living cells. Programming the precise cellular response toward environmental pH is, therefore, crucial for engineering cells for increasingly sophisticated functions. Herein, we engineer a set of riboswitch-based pH-sensing genetic devices to enable the control of gene expression according to differential environmental pH. We next develop a digital pH-sensing system to utilize the analogue-sensing behavior of these devices for high-resolution recording of host cell exposure to discrete external pH levels. The application of this digital pH-sensing system is demonstrated in a genetic program that autonomously regulated the evolutionary engineering of host cells for improved tolerance to a broad spectrum of organic acids, a valuable phenotype for metabolic engineering and bioremediation applications. Cells are exposed to shifts in environmental pH, which direct their metabolism and behavior. Here the authors design pH-sensing riboswitches to create a gene expression program, digitalize the system to respond to a narrow pH range and apply it to evolve host cells with improved tolerance to a variety of organic acids.
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130
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131
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Abstract
Biomolecular temperature sensors can be used for efficient control of large-volume bioreactors, for spatiotemporal imaging and control of gene expression, and to engineer robustness to temperature in biomolecular circuit design. Although RNA-based sensors, called "thermometers", have been investigated in both natural and synthetic contexts, an important challenge is to design diverse responses to temperature differing in sensitivity and threshold. We address this issue by constructing a library of RNA thermometers based on thermodynamic computations and experimentally measuring their activities in cell-free biomolecular "breadboards". Using free energies of the minimum free energy structures as well as melt profile computations, we estimated that a diverse set of temperature responses were possible. We experimentally found a wide range of responses to temperature in the range 29-37 °C with fold-changes varying over 3-fold around the starting thermometer. The sensitivities of these responses ranged over 10-fold around the starting thermometer. We correlated these measurements with computational expectations, finding that although there was no strong correlation for the individual thermometers, overall trends of diversity, fold-changes, and sensitivities were similar. These results present a toolbox of RNA-based circuit elements with diverse temperature responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaunak Sen
- Department
of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Divyansh Apurva
- Department
of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Rohit Satija
- Department
of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
- Institute
for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Dan Siegal
- Division
of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
- Schafer Corporation, Arlington, Virginia 22203, United States
| | - Richard M. Murray
- Division
of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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132
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Gilad AA, Shapiro MG. Molecular Imaging in Synthetic Biology, and Synthetic Biology in Molecular Imaging. Mol Imaging Biol 2017; 19:373-378. [PMID: 28213833 PMCID: PMC6058969 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-017-1062-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Biomedical synthetic biology is an emerging field in which cells are engineered at the genetic level to carry out novel functions with relevance to biomedical and industrial applications. This approach promises new treatments, imaging tools, and diagnostics for diseases ranging from gastrointestinal inflammatory syndromes to cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. As these cellular technologies undergo pre-clinical and clinical development, it is becoming essential to monitor their location and function in vivo, necessitating appropriate molecular imaging strategies, and therefore, we have created an interest group within the World Molecular Imaging Society focusing on synthetic biology and reporter gene technologies. Here, we highlight recent advances in biomedical synthetic biology, including bacterial therapy, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. We then discuss emerging molecular imaging approaches to facilitate in vivo applications, focusing on reporter genes for noninvasive modalities such as magnetic resonance, ultrasound, photoacoustic imaging, bioluminescence, and radionuclear imaging. Because reporter genes can be incorporated directly into engineered genetic circuits, they are particularly well suited to imaging synthetic biological constructs, and developing them provides opportunities for creative molecular and genetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf A Gilad
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
- Heritage Medical Research Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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133
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Thermal therapeutics. Nat Methods 2017. [DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.4139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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