201
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Walls LE, Rios-Solis L. Sustainable Production of Microbial Isoprenoid Derived Advanced Biojet Fuels Using Different Generation Feedstocks: A Review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:599560. [PMID: 33195174 PMCID: PMC7661957 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.599560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
As the fastest mode of transport, the aircraft is a major driver for globalization and economic growth. The development of alternative advanced liquid fuels is critical to sustainable development within the sector. Such fuels should be compatible with existing infrastructure and derived from second generation feedstocks to avoid competition with food markets. With properties similar to petroleum based fuels, isoprenoid derived compounds such as limonene, bisabolane, farnesane, and pinene dimers are of increasing interest as "drop-in" replacement jet fuels. In this review potential isoprenoid derived jet fuels and progress toward their microbial production was discussed in detail. Although substantial advancements have been achieved, the use of first generation feedstocks remains ubiquitous. Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant raw material available for biofuel production, however, technological constraints associated with its pretreatment and saccharification hinder its economic feasibility for low-value commodity production. Non-conventional microbes with novel characteristics including cellulolytic bacteria and fungi capable of highly efficient lignocellulose degradation and xylose fermenting oleaginous yeast with enhanced lignin-associated inhibitor tolerance were investigated as alternatives to traditional model hosts. Finally, innovative bioprocessing methods including consolidated bioprocessing and sequential bioreactor approaches, with potential to capitalize on such unique natural capabilities were considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ellen Walls
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology (SynthSys), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Leonardo Rios-Solis
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology (SynthSys), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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202
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Ding Q, Diao W, Gao C, Chen X, Liu L. Microbial cell engineering to improve cellular synthetic capacity. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 45:107649. [PMID: 33091485 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Rapid technological progress in gene assembly, biosensors, and genetic circuits has led to reinforce the cellular synthetic capacity for chemical production. However, overcoming the current limitations of these techniques in maintaining cellular functions and enhancing the cellular synthetic capacity (e.g., catalytic efficiency, strain performance, and cell-cell communication) remains challenging. In this review, we propose a strategy for microbial cell engineering to improve the cellular synthetic capacity by utilizing biotechnological tools along with system biology methods to regulate cellular functions during chemical production. Current strategies in microbial cell engineering are mainly focused on the organelle, cell, and consortium levels. This review highlights the potential of using biotechnology to further develop the field of microbial cell engineering and provides guidance for utilizing microorganisms as attractive regulation targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ding
- 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
| | - Wenwen Diao
- 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
| | - 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; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
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203
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Xu P. Dynamics of microbial competition, commensalism, and cooperation and its implications for coculture and microbiome engineering. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 118:199-209. [PMID: 32915459 PMCID: PMC7821011 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Microbial consortium is a complex adaptive system with higher‐order dynamic characteristics that are not present by individual members. To accurately predict the social interactions, we formulate a set of unstructured kinetic models to quantitatively capture the dynamic interactions of multiple microbial species. By introducing an interaction coefficient, we analytically derived the steady‐state solutions for the interacting species and the substrate‐depleting profile in the chemostat. We analyzed the stability of the possible coexisting states defined by competition, parasitism, amensalism, commensalism, and cooperation. Our model predicts that only parasitism, commensalism, and cooperation could lead to stable coexisting states. We also determined the optimal social interaction criteria of microbial coculture when sequential metabolic reactions are compartmentalized into two distinct species. Coupled with Luedeking–Piret and Michaelis–Menten equations, accumulation of metabolic intermediates in one species and formation of end‐product in another species could be derived and assessed. We discovered that parasitism consortia disfavor the bioconversion of intermediate to final product; and commensalism consortia could efficiently convert metabolic intermediates to final product and maintain metabolic homeostasis with a broad range of operational conditions (i.e., dilution rates); whereas cooperative consortia leads to highly nonlinear pattern of precursor accumulation and end‐product formation. The underlying dynamics and emergent properties of microbial consortia may provide critical knowledge for us to understand ecological coexisting states, engineer efficient bioconversion process, deliver effective gut therapeutics as well as elucidate probiotic‐pathogen or tumor‐host interactions in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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204
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Martínez-García E, Fraile S, Rodríguez Espeso D, Vecchietti D, Bertoni G, de Lorenzo V. Naked Bacterium: Emerging Properties of a Surfome-Streamlined Pseudomonas putida Strain. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2477-2492. [PMID: 32786355 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Environmental bacteria are most often endowed with native surface-attachment programs that frequently conflict with efforts to engineer biofilms and synthetic communities with given tridimensional architectures. In this work, we report the editing of the genome of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for stripping the cells of most outer-facing structures of the bacterial envelope that mediate motion, binding to surfaces, and biofilm formation. To this end, 23 segments of the P. putida chromosome encoding a suite of such functions were deleted, resulting in the surface-naked strain EM371, the physical properties of which changed dramatically in respect to the wild type counterpart. As a consequence, surface-edited P. putida cells were unable to form biofilms on solid supports and, because of the swimming deficiency and other alterations, showed a much faster sedimentation in liquid media. Surface-naked bacteria were then used as carriers of interacting partners (e.g., Jun-Fos domains) ectopically expressed by means of an autotransporter display system on the now easily accessible cell envelope. Abstraction of individual bacteria as adhesin-coated spherocylinders enabled rigorous quantitative description of the multicell interplay brought about by thereby engineered physical interactions. The model was then applied to parametrize the data extracted from automated analysis of confocal microscopy images of the experimentally assembled bacterial flocks for analyzing their structure and distribution. The resulting data not only corroborated the value of P. putida EM371 over the parental strain as a platform for display artificial adhesins but also provided a strategy for rational engineering of catalytic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Martínez-García
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofía Fraile
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Rodríguez Espeso
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Davide Vecchietti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bertoni
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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205
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VanArsdale E, Pitzer J, Payne GF, Bentley WE. Redox Electrochemistry to Interrogate and Control Biomolecular Communication. iScience 2020; 23:101545. [PMID: 33083771 PMCID: PMC7516135 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells often communicate by the secretion, transport, and perception of molecules. Information conveyed by molecules is encoded, transmitted, and decoded by cells within the context of the prevailing microenvironments. Conversely, in electronics, transmission reliability and message validation are predictable, robust, and less context dependent. In turn, many transformative advances have resulted by the formal consideration of information transfer. One way to explore this potential for biological systems is to create bio-device interfaces that facilitate bidirectional information transfer between biology and electronics. Redox reactions enable this linkage because reduction and oxidation mediate communication within biology and can be coupled with electronics. By manipulating redox reactions, one is able to combine the programmable features of electronics with the ability to interrogate and modulate biological function. In this review, we examine methods to electrochemically interrogate the various components of molecular communication using redox chemistry and to electronically control cell communication using redox electrogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric VanArsdale
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 3102 A. James Clark Hall 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.,Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, 5115 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA.,Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, Room 5102, A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Juliana Pitzer
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 3102 A. James Clark Hall 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Gregory F Payne
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, 5115 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA.,Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, Room 5102, A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - William E Bentley
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 3102 A. James Clark Hall 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA.,Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, 5115 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA.,Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, University of Maryland, Room 5102, A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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206
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Antoniewicz MR. A guide to deciphering microbial interactions and metabolic fluxes in microbiome communities. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 64:230-237. [PMID: 32711357 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Microbiomes occupy nearly all environments on Earth. These communities of interacting microorganisms are highly complex, dynamic biological systems that impact and reshape the molecular composition of their habitats by performing complex biochemical transformations. The structure and function of microbiomes are influenced by local environmental stimuli and spatiotemporal changes. In order to control the dynamics and ultimately the function of microbiomes, we need to develop a mechanistic and quantitative understanding of the ecological, molecular, and evolutionary driving forces that govern these systems. Here, we describe recent advances in developing computational and experimental approaches that can promote a more fundamental understanding of microbial communities through comprehensive model-based analysis of heterogeneous data types across multiple scales, from intracellular metabolism, to metabolite cross-feeding interactions, to the emergent macroscopic behaviors. Ultimately, harnessing the full potential of microbiomes for practical applications will require developing new predictive modeling approaches and better tools to manipulate microbiome interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciek R Antoniewicz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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207
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Yuan SF, Yi X, Johnston TG, Alper HS. De novo resveratrol production through modular engineering of an Escherichia coli-Saccharomyces cerevisiae co-culture. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:143. [PMID: 32664999 PMCID: PMC7362445 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01401-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resveratrol is a plant secondary metabolite with diverse, potential health-promoting benefits. Due to its nutraceutical merit, bioproduction of resveratrol via microbial engineering has gained increasing attention and provides an alternative to unsustainable chemical synthesis and straight extraction from plants. However, many studies on microbial resveratrol production were implemented with the addition of water-insoluble phenylalanine or tyrosine-based precursors to the medium, limiting in the sustainable development of bioproduction. RESULTS Here we present a novel coculture platform where two distinct metabolic background species were modularly engineered for the combined total and de novo biosynthesis of resveratrol. In this scenario, the upstream Escherichia coli module is capable of excreting p-coumaric acid into the surrounding culture media through constitutive overexpression of codon-optimized tyrosine ammonia lyase from Trichosporon cutaneum (TAL), feedback-inhibition-resistant 3-deoxy-d-arabinoheptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (aroGfbr) and chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydrogenase (tyrAfbr) in a transcriptional regulator tyrR knockout strain. Next, to enhance the precursor malonyl-CoA supply, an inactivation-resistant version of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1S659A,S1157A) was introduced into the downstream Saccharomyces cerevisiae module constitutively expressing codon-optimized 4-coumarate-CoA ligase from Arabidopsis thaliana (4CL) and resveratrol synthase from Vitis vinifera (STS), and thus further improve the conversion of p-coumaric acid-to-resveratrol. Upon optimization of the initial inoculation ratio of two populations, fermentation temperature, and culture time, this co-culture system yielded 28.5 mg/L resveratrol from glucose in flasks. In further optimization by increasing initial net cells density at a test tube scale, a final resveratrol titer of 36 mg/L was achieved. CONCLUSIONS This is first study that demonstrates the use of a synthetic E. coli-S. cerevisiae consortium for de novo resveratrol biosynthesis, which highlights its potential for production of other p-coumaric-acid or resveratrol derived biochemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo-Fu Yuan
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Xiunan Yi
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Trevor G Johnston
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E Dean Keeton St. Stop C0400, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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208
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Fedeson DT, Saake P, Calero P, Nikel PI, Ducat DC. Biotransformation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene in a phototrophic co-culture of engineered Synechococcus elongatus and Pseudomonas putida. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:997-1011. [PMID: 32064751 PMCID: PMC7264894 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to the current paradigm of using microbial mono-cultures in most biotechnological applications, increasing efforts are being directed towards engineering mixed-species consortia to perform functions that are difficult to programme into individual strains. In this work, we developed a synthetic microbial consortium composed of two genetically engineered microbes, a cyanobacterium (Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942) and a heterotrophic bacterium (Pseudomonas putida EM173). These microbial species specialize in the co-culture: cyanobacteria fix CO2 through photosynthetic metabolism and secrete sufficient carbohydrates to support the growth and active metabolism of P. putida, which has been engineered to consume sucrose and to degrade the environmental pollutant 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT). By encapsulating S. elongatus within a barium-alginate hydrogel, cyanobacterial cells were protected from the toxic effects of 2,4-DNT, enhancing the performance of the co-culture. The synthetic consortium was able to convert 2,4-DNT with light and CO2 as key inputs, and its catalytic performance was stable over time. Furthermore, cycling this synthetic consortium through low nitrogen medium promoted the sucrose-dependent accumulation of polyhydroxyalkanoate, an added-value biopolymer, in the engineered P. putida strain. Altogether, the synthetic consortium displayed the capacity to remediate the industrial pollutant 2,4-DNT while simultaneously synthesizing biopolymers using light and CO2 as the primary inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek T. Fedeson
- DOE‐MSU Plant Research LaboratoriesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Genetics ProgramMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Pia Saake
- Heinrich‐Heine UniversitätDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Patricia Calero
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of DenmarkKgs LyngbyDenmark
| | - Pablo Iván Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of DenmarkKgs LyngbyDenmark
| | - Daniel C. Ducat
- DOE‐MSU Plant Research LaboratoriesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Genetics ProgramMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
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209
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Johnston TG, Fillman JP, Priks H, Butelmann T, Tamm T, Kumar R, Lahtvee P, Nelson A. Cell‐Laden Hydrogels for Multikingdom 3D Printing. Macromol Biosci 2020; 20:e2000121. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202000121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Trevor G. Johnston
- Department of Chemistry University of Washington Box 351700 Seattle WA 98195‐1700 USA
| | - Jacob P. Fillman
- Department of Chemistry University of Washington Box 351700 Seattle WA 98195‐1700 USA
| | - Hans Priks
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu Nooruse 1 Tartu 50411 Estonia
| | - Tobias Butelmann
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu Nooruse 1 Tartu 50411 Estonia
| | - Tarmo Tamm
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu Nooruse 1 Tartu 50411 Estonia
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu Nooruse 1 Tartu 50411 Estonia
| | - Petri‐Jaan Lahtvee
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu Nooruse 1 Tartu 50411 Estonia
| | - Alshakim Nelson
- Department of Chemistry University of Washington Box 351700 Seattle WA 98195‐1700 USA
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210
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Chai LJ, Shen MN, Sun J, Deng YJ, Lu ZM, Zhang XJ, Shi JS, Xu ZH. Deciphering the d-/l-lactate-producing microbiota and manipulating their accumulation during solid-state fermentation of cereal vinegar. Food Microbiol 2020; 92:103559. [PMID: 32950153 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Symphony orchestra of multi-microorganisms characterizes the solid-state acetic acid fermentation process of Chinese cereal vinegars. Lactate is the predominant non-volatile acid and plays indispensable roles in flavor formation. This study investigated the microbial consortia driving the metabolism of D-/l-lactate during fermentation. Sequencing analysis based on D-/l-lactate dehydrogenase genes demonstrated that Lactobacillus (relative abundance: > 95%) dominated the production of both d-lactate and l-lactate, showing species-specific features between the two types. Lactobacillus helveticus (>65%) and L. reuteri (~80%) respectively dominated l- and d-lactate-producing communities. D-/l-lactate production and utilization capabilities of eight predominant Lactobacillus strains were determined by culture-dependent approach. Subsequently, D-/l-lactate producer L. plantarum M10-1 (d:l ≈ 1:1), l-lactate producer L. casei 21M3-1 (D:L ≈ 0.2:9.8) and D-/l-lactate utilizer Acetobacter pasteurianus G3-2 were selected to modulate the metabolic flux of D-/l-lactate of microbial consortia. The production ratio of D-/l-lactate was correspondingly shifted coupling with microbial consortia changes. Bioaugmentation with L.casei 21M3-1 merely enhanced l-lactate production, displaying ~4-fold elevation at the end of fermentation. Addition of L.plantarum M10-1 twice increased both D- and l-lactate production, while A. pasteurianus G3-2 decreased the content of D-/l-isomer. Our results provided an alternative strategy to specifically manipulate the metabolic flux within microbial consortia of certain ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Chai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China
| | - Mi-Na Shen
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China
| | - Jia Sun
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China
| | - Yong-Jian Deng
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China
| | - Zhen-Ming Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China; Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Bioactive Products Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China
| | - Xiao-Juan Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China; Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Bioactive Products Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China
| | - Jin-Song Shi
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China
| | - Zheng-Hong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, PR China; National Engineering Research Center of Solid-State Brewing, Luzhou, 646000, PR China.
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211
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Qian X, Chen L, Sui Y, Chen C, Zhang W, Zhou J, Dong W, Jiang M, Xin F, Ochsenreither K. Biotechnological potential and applications of microbial consortia. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 40:107500. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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212
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Wen Z, Ledesma‐Amaro R, Lu M, Jiang Y, Gao S, Jin M, Yang S. Combined evolutionary engineering and genetic manipulation improve low pH tolerance and butanol production in a synthetic microbial
Clostridium
community. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:2008-2022. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.27333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wen
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science & Technology Nanjing China
| | | | - Minrui Lu
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science & Technology Nanjing China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Huzhou Center of Industrial Biotechnology, Shanghai Institutes of Biological SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences Zhejiang China
- Shanghai TaoYuSheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Shanghai China
| | - Shuliang Gao
- Zhejiang Huarui Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang China
| | - Mingjie Jin
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science & Technology Nanjing China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Huzhou Center of Industrial Biotechnology, Shanghai Institutes of Biological SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences Zhejiang China
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China
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213
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Giri S, Shitut S, Kost C. Harnessing ecological and evolutionary principles to guide the design of microbial production consortia. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 62:228-238. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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214
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Shahab RL, Brethauer S, Luterbacher JS, Studer MH. Engineering of ecological niches to create stable artificial consortia for complex biotransformations. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 62:129-136. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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215
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Phenotypic variation in spatially structured microbial communities: ecological origins and consequences. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 62:220-227. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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216
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Ben Said S, Tecon R, Borer B, Or D. The engineering of spatially linked microbial consortia - potential and perspectives. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 62:137-145. [PMID: 31678714 PMCID: PMC7208534 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Traditional biotechnological applications of microorganisms employ mono-cultivation or co-cultivation in well-mixed vessels disregarding the potential of spatially organized cultures. Metabolic specialization and guided species interactions facilitated through spatial isolation would enable consortia of microbes to accomplish more complex functions than currently possible, for bioproduction as well as biodegradation processes. Here, we review concepts of spatially linked microbial consortia in which spatial arrangement is optimized to increase control and facilitate new species combinations. We highlight that genome-scale metabolic network models can inform the design and tuning of synthetic microbial consortia and suggest that a standardized assembly of such systems allows the combination of 'incompatibles', potentially leading to countless novel applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Ben Said
- Microbial Systems Ecology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Robin Tecon
- Soil and Terrestrial Environmental Physics, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Benedict Borer
- Soil and Terrestrial Environmental Physics, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dani Or
- Soil and Terrestrial Environmental Physics, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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217
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Lin TY, Wen RC, Shen CR, Tsai SL. Biotransformation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid by a Syntrophic Consortium of Engineered Synechococcus elongatus and Pseudomonas putida. Biotechnol J 2020; 15:e1900357. [PMID: 32181597 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201900357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is one of the top platform chemicals that can be produced from biomass feedstock. To make the cost of industrial FDCA production compatible with plastics made from fossils, the price of substrates and process complexity should be reduced. The aim of this research is to create a CO2 -driven syntrophic consortium for the catalytic conversion of renewable biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to FDCA. Sucrose produced from carbon fixation by the engineered Synechococcus elongatus serves as the sole carbon source for the engineered Pseudomonas putida to catalyze the reaction of HMF to FDCA. The yield of FDCA by the consortium reaches around 70% while the conversion of HMF is close to 100%. With further surface engineering to clump the two strains, the FDCA yield is elevated to almost 100% via the specific association between an Src homology 3 (SH3) domain and its ligand. The syntrophic consortium successfully demonstrates its green and cost-effective characteristics for the conversion of CO2 and biomass into platform chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yu Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 10607, Taiwan
| | - Rex C Wen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Claire R Shen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Long Tsai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 10607, Taiwan
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218
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Perkins ML, Benzinger D, Arcak M, Khammash M. Cell-in-the-loop pattern formation with optogenetically emulated cell-to-cell signaling. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1355. [PMID: 32170129 PMCID: PMC7069979 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15166-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Designing and implementing synthetic biological pattern formation remains challenging due to underlying theoretical complexity as well as the difficulty of engineering multicellular networks biochemically. Here, we introduce a cell-in-the-loop approach where living cells interact through in silico signaling, establishing a new testbed to interrogate theoretical principles when internal cell dynamics are incorporated rather than modeled. We present an easy-to-use theoretical test to predict the emergence of contrasting patterns in gene expression among laterally inhibiting cells. Guided by the theory, we experimentally demonstrate spontaneous checkerboard patterning in an optogenetic setup, where cell-to-cell signaling is emulated with light inputs calculated in silico from real-time gene expression measurements. The scheme successfully produces spontaneous, persistent checkerboard patterns for systems of sixteen patches, in quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions. Our research highlights how tools from dynamical systems theory may inform our understanding of patterning, and illustrates the potential of cell-in-the-loop for engineering synthetic multicellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Liu Perkins
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Dirk Benzinger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Murat Arcak
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Mustafa Khammash
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland.
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219
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Biava HD. Tackling Achilles' Heel in Synthetic Biology: Pairing Intracellular Synthesis of Noncanonical Amino Acids with Genetic-Code Expansion to Foster Biotechnological Applications. Chembiochem 2020; 21:1265-1273. [PMID: 31868982 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
For the last two decades, synthetic biologists have been able to unlock and expand the genetic code, generating proteins with unique properties through the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs). These evolved biomaterials have shown great potential for applications in industrial biocatalysis, therapeutics, bioremediation, bioconjugation, and other areas. Our ability to continue developing such technologies depends on having relatively easy access to ncAAs. However, the synthesis of enantiomerically pure ncAAs in practical quantitates for large-scale processes remains a challenge. Biocatalytic ncAA production has emerged as an excellent alternative to traditional organic synthesis in terms of cost, enantioselectivity, and sustainability. Moreover, biocatalytic synthesis offers the opportunity of coupling the intracellular generation of ncAAs with genetic-code expansion to overcome the limitations of an external supply of amino acid. In this minireview, we examine some of the most relevant achievements of this approach and its implications for improving technological applications derived from synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernán D Biava
- Department of Science and Mathematics, Brevard College, One Brevard College Drive, Brevard, 28712, NC, USA
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220
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Conde-Pueyo N, Vidiella B, Sardanyés J, Berdugo M, Maestre FT, de Lorenzo V, Solé R. Synthetic Biology for Terraformation Lessons from Mars, Earth, and the Microbiome. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E14. [PMID: 32050455 PMCID: PMC7175242 DOI: 10.3390/life10020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
What is the potential for synthetic biology as a way of engineering, on a large scale, complex ecosystems? Can it be used to change endangered ecological communities and rescue them to prevent their collapse? What are the best strategies for such ecological engineering paths to succeed? Is it possible to create stable, diverse synthetic ecosystems capable of persisting in closed environments? Can synthetic communities be created to thrive on planets different from ours? These and other questions pervade major future developments within synthetic biology. The goal of engineering ecosystems is plagued with all kinds of technological, scientific and ethic problems. In this paper, we consider the requirements for terraformation, i.e., for changing a given environment to make it hospitable to some given class of life forms. Although the standard use of this term involved strategies for planetary terraformation, it has been recently suggested that this approach could be applied to a very different context: ecological communities within our own planet. As discussed here, this includes multiple scales, from the gut microbiome to the entire biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Conde-Pueyo
- ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Plaça de la Mercè, 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain; (B.V.); (M.B.)
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, UPF-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Blai Vidiella
- ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Plaça de la Mercè, 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain; (B.V.); (M.B.)
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, UPF-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Sardanyés
- Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, Campus UAB Edifici C, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain;
- Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics (BGSMath), Campus UAB Edifici C, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Berdugo
- ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Plaça de la Mercè, 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain; (B.V.); (M.B.)
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, UPF-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Departamento de Ecología and Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio “Ramon Margalef”, Universidad de Alicante, Carr. de San Vicente del Raspeig, s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain;
| | - Fernando T. Maestre
- Departamento de Ecología and Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio “Ramon Margalef”, Universidad de Alicante, Carr. de San Vicente del Raspeig, s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain;
| | - Victor de Lorenzo
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Ricard Solé
- ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Plaça de la Mercè, 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain; (B.V.); (M.B.)
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, UPF-CSIC, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
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221
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Compartmentalized microbes and co-cultures in hydrogels for on-demand bioproduction and preservation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:563. [PMID: 32019917 PMCID: PMC7000784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14371-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Most mono- and co-culture bioprocess applications rely on large-scale suspension fermentation technologies that are not easily portable, reusable, or suitable for on-demand production. Here, we describe a hydrogel system for harnessing the bioactivity of embedded microbes for on-demand small molecule and peptide production in microbial mono-culture and consortia. This platform bypasses the challenges of engineering a multi-organism consortia by utilizing a temperature-responsive, shear-thinning hydrogel to compartmentalize organisms into polymeric hydrogels that control the final consortium composition and dynamics without the need for synthetic control of mutualism. We demonstrate that these hydrogels provide protection from preservation techniques (including lyophilization) and can sustain metabolic function for over 1 year of repeated use. This approach was utilized for the production of four chemical compounds, a peptide antibiotic, and carbohydrate catabolism by using either mono-cultures or co-cultures. The printed microbe-laden hydrogel constructs’ efficiency in repeated production phases, both pre- and post-preservation, outperforms liquid culture. Large scale suspension fermentation technology is not easily portable or reusable. Here the authors describe a hydrogel system suitable for long-term and reusable production with both single and multi-organism consortia.
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222
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Pecht T, Aschenbrenner AC, Ulas T, Succurro A. Modeling population heterogeneity from microbial communities to immune response in cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:415-432. [PMID: 31768606 PMCID: PMC7010691 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03378-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Heterogeneity is universally observed in all natural systems and across multiple scales. Understanding population heterogeneity is an intriguing and attractive topic of research in different disciplines, including microbiology and immunology. Microbes and mammalian immune cells present obviously rather different system-specific biological features. Nevertheless, as typically occurs in science, similar methods can be used to study both types of cells. This is particularly true for mathematical modeling, in which key features of a system are translated into algorithms to challenge our mechanistic understanding of the underlying biology. In this review, we first present a broad overview of the experimental developments that allowed observing heterogeneity at the single cell level. We then highlight how this "data revolution" requires the parallel advancement of algorithms and computing infrastructure for data processing and analysis, and finally present representative examples of computational models of population heterogeneity, from microbial communities to immune response in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Pecht
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna C Aschenbrenner
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Ulas
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Antonella Succurro
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- West German Genome Center (WGGC), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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223
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Mineralization of the herbicide swep by a two-strain consortium and characterization of a new amidase for hydrolyzing swep. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:4. [PMID: 31910844 PMCID: PMC6945715 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-1276-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Swep is an excellent carbamate herbicide that kills weeds by interfering with metabolic processes and inhibiting cell division at the growth point. Due to the large amount of use, swep residues in soil and water not only cause environmental pollution but also accumulate through the food chain, ultimately pose a threat to human health. This herbicide is degraded in soil mainly by microbial activity, but no studies on the biotransformation of swep have been reported. RESULTS In this study, a consortium consisting of two bacterial strains, Comamonas sp. SWP-3 and Alicycliphilus sp. PH-34, was enriched from a contaminated soil sample and shown to be capable of mineralizing swep. Swep was first transformed by Comamonas sp. SWP-3 to the intermediate 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA), after which 3,4-DCA was mineralized by Alicycliphilus sp. PH-34. An amidase gene, designated as ppa, responsible for the transformation of swep into 3,4-DCA was cloned from strain SWP-3. The expressed Ppa protein efficiently hydrolyzed swep and a number of other structural analogues, such as propanil, chlorpropham and propham. Ppa shared less than 50% identity with previously reported arylamidases and displayed maximal activity at 30 °C and pH 8.6. Gly449 and Val266 were confirmed by sequential error prone PCR to be the key catalytic sites for Ppa in the conversion of swep. CONCLUSIONS These results provide additional microbial resources for the potential remediation of swep-contaminated sites and add new insights into the catalytic mechanism of amidase in the hydrolysis of swep.
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224
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de Souza RSC, Armanhi JSL, Arruda P. From Microbiome to Traits: Designing Synthetic Microbial Communities for Improved Crop Resiliency. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:1179. [PMID: 32983187 PMCID: PMC7484511 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plants teem with microorganisms, whose tremendous diversity and role in plant-microbe interactions are being increasingly explored. Microbial communities create a functional bond with their hosts and express beneficial traits capable of enhancing plant performance. Therefore, a significant task of microbiome research has been identifying novel beneficial microbial traits that can contribute to crop productivity, particularly under adverse environmental conditions. However, although knowledge has exponentially accumulated in recent years, few novel methods regarding the process of designing inoculants for agriculture have been presented. A recently introduced approach is the use of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs), which involves applying concepts from both microbial ecology and genetics to design inoculants. Here, we discuss how to translate this rationale for delivering stable and effective inoculants for agriculture by tailoring SynComs with microorganisms possessing traits for robust colonization, prevalence throughout plant development and specific beneficial functions for plants. Computational methods, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, will leverage the approaches of screening and identifying beneficial microbes while improving the process of determining the best combination of microbes for a desired plant phenotype. We focus on recent advances that deepen our knowledge of plant-microbe interactions and critically discuss the prospect of using microbes to create SynComs capable of enhancing crop resiliency against stressful conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Soares Correa de Souza
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Jaderson Silveira Leite Armanhi
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Paulo Arruda
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Paulo Arruda,
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225
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Abstract
Synthetic biology uses living cells as the substrate for performing human-defined computations. Many current implementations of cellular computing are based on the “genetic circuit” metaphor, an approximation of the operation of silicon-based computers. Although this conceptual mapping has been relatively successful, we argue that it fundamentally limits the types of computation that may be engineered inside the cell, and fails to exploit the rich and diverse functionality available in natural living systems. We propose the notion of “cellular supremacy” to focus attention on domains in which biocomputing might offer superior performance over traditional computers. We consider potential pathways toward cellular supremacy, and suggest application areas in which it may be found. Synthetic biology uses cells as its computing substrate, often based on the genetic circuit concept. In this Perspective, the authors argue that existing synthetic biology approaches based on classical models of computation limit the potential of biocomputing, and propose that living organisms have under-exploited capabilities.
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226
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227
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Sgobba E, Wendisch VF. Synthetic microbial consortia for small molecule production. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 62:72-79. [PMID: 31627138 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Microbial consortia were designed for the production of small molecules with 'labor' being divided between two or more microorganisms. Examples of linear designs are substrate conversion preceding target molecule production or subdivision of two consecutive steps of target molecule production. Here, we review synthetic biology design approaches for microbial consortia based on ecological principles and microbial interactions that is, mutualism, and commensalism. Besides highlighting the technical challenges regarding industrial application of synthetic microbial consortia, we forecast the extension of the concept from binary linear to ternary linear and more complex microbial consortia in biotechnological applications. Microbial consortia are here reviewed and proposed as a rational solution toward feedstock accessibility as it has been shown for production of l-lysine, l-pipecolic acid and cadaverine from starch or production of fumarate from microcrystalline cellulose and alkaline pre-treated corn, or alternatively to establish new multi-step pathway for the production of rosmarinic acid from xylose and glucose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Sgobba
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Volker F Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University Bielefeld, Germany.
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228
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Shukla P. Synthetic Biology Perspectives of Microbial Enzymes and Their Innovative Applications. Indian J Microbiol 2019; 59:401-409. [PMID: 31762501 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-019-00819-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial enzymes are high in demand and there is focus on their efficient, cost effective and eco-friendly production. The relevant microbial enzymes for respective industries needs to be identified but the conventional technologies don't have much edge over it. So, there is more attention towards high throughput methods for production of efficient enzymes. The enzymes produced by microbes need to be modified to bear the extreme conditions of the industries in order to get prolific outcomes and here the synthetic biology tools may be augmented to modify such microbes and enzymes. These tools are applied to synthesize novel and efficient enzymes. Use of computational tools for enzyme modification has provided new avenues for faster and specific modification of enzymes in a shorter time period. This review focuses on few important enzymes and their modification through synthetic biology tools including genetic modification, nanotechnology, post translational modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratyoosh Shukla
- Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001 India
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229
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Nora LC, Westmann CA, Guazzaroni ME, Siddaiah C, Gupta VK, Silva-Rocha R. Recent advances in plasmid-based tools for establishing novel microbial chassis. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107433. [PMID: 31437573 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A key challenge for domesticating alternative cultivable microorganisms with biotechnological potential lies in the development of innovative technologies. Within this framework, a myriad of genetic tools has flourished, allowing the design and manipulation of complex synthetic circuits and genomes to become the general rule in many laboratories rather than the exception. More recently, with the development of novel technologies such as DNA automated synthesis/sequencing and powerful computational tools, molecular biology has entered the synthetic biology era. In the beginning, most of these technologies were established in traditional microbial models (known as chassis in the synthetic biology framework) such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, enabling fast advances in the field and the validation of fundamental proofs of concept. However, it soon became clear that these organisms, although extremely useful for prototyping many genetic tools, were not ideal for a wide range of biotechnological tasks due to intrinsic limitations in their molecular/physiological properties. Over the last decade, researchers have been facing the great challenge of shifting from these model systems to non-conventional chassis with endogenous capacities for dealing with specific tasks. The key to address these issues includes the generation of narrow and broad host plasmid-based molecular tools and the development of novel methods for engineering genomes through homologous recombination systems, CRISPR/Cas9 and other alternative methods. Here, we address the most recent advances in plasmid-based tools for the construction of novel cell factories, including a guide for helping with "build-your-own" microbial host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Czamanski Nora
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Cauã Antunes Westmann
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - María-Eugenia Guazzaroni
- Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | | | - Vijai Kumar Gupta
- ERA Chair of Green Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Tallinn University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil.
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Nazhand A, Durazzo A, Lucarini M, Mobilia MA, Omri B, Santini A. Rewiring cellular metabolism for heterologous biosynthesis of Taxol. Nat Prod Res 2019; 34:110-121. [DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1630122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Nazhand
- Biotechnology Department, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | | | | | | | - Besma Omri
- Laboratory of Improvement & Integrated Development of Animal Productivity & Food Resources, Higher School of Agriculture of Mateur, University of Carthage, Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - Antonello Santini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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231
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Boruta T, Milczarek I, Bizukojc M. Evaluating the outcomes of submerged co-cultivation: production of lovastatin and other secondary metabolites by Aspergillus terreus in fungal co-cultures. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:5593-5605. [PMID: 31098686 PMCID: PMC6597594 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09874-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The goal of the study was to compare the production of secondary metabolites by Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542 under the conditions of submerged mono- and co-cultivation. The suggested experimental scheme encompassed a diverse set of co-culture initiation strategies differing mostly with respect to the development stage of tested fungal strains at the moment of their confrontation. Three species of filamentous fungi exhibiting distinct patterns of morphological evolution under submerged conditions, namely Penicillium rubens, Chaetomium globosum, and Mucor racemosus, were selected as the co-cultivation partners of A. terreus. The choice of the co-cultivated species and the approach of co-culture triggering noticeably influenced the levels of lovastatin (mevinolinic acid), (+)-geodin, asterric acid, and butyrolactone I in the broth. Even though the evaluated co-cultures did not lead to the increased titers of lovastatin relative to standard monocultures, the biosynthesis of the remaining three metabolites was either enhanced or inhibited depending on the experimental variant. The production of butyrolactone I turned out to be particularly affected by the presence of C. globosum. Interestingly, in the A. terreus/C. globosum co-cultures, the decrease of lovastatin concentration was recorded. According to the most probable scenario, lovastatin was in this case converted to monacolin J acid, a polyketide molecule that may be applied as a substrate for the synthesis of statin drugs. The study revealed that the spores of two distinct fungal species, namely A. terreus and C. globosum, co-agglomerate under submerged conditions to form pellets. Finally, the biosynthetic performance of co-cultures involving four fungal species was evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Boruta
- Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, ul. Wolczanska 213, 90-924, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Iwona Milczarek
- Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, ul. Wolczanska 213, 90-924, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Bizukojc
- Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, ul. Wolczanska 213, 90-924, Lodz, Poland
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232
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Sofeo N, Hart JH, Butler B, Oliver DJ, Yandeau-Nelson MD, Nikolau BJ. Altering the Substrate Specificity of Acetyl-CoA Synthetase by Rational Mutagenesis of the Carboxylate Binding Pocket. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1325-1336. [PMID: 31117358 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) is a member of a large superfamily of enzymes that display diverse substrate specificities, with a common mechanism of catalyzing the formation of a thioester bond between Coenzyme A and a carboxylic acid, while hydrolyzing ATP to AMP and pyrophosphate. As an activated form of acetate, acetyl-CoA is a key metabolic intermediate that links many metabolic processes, including the TCA cycle, amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and biosynthetic processes that generate many polyketides and some terpenes. We explored the structural basis of the specificity of ACS for only activating acetate, whereas other members of this superfamily utilize a broad range of other carboxylate substrates. By computationally modeling the structure of the Arabidopsis ACS and the Pseudomonas chlororaphis isobutyryl-CoA synthetase using the experimentally determined tertiary structures of homologous ACS enzymes as templates, we identified residues that potentially comprise the carboxylate binding pocket. These predictions were systematically tested by mutagenesis of four specific residues. The resulting rationally redesigned carboxylate binding pocket modified the size and chemo-physical properties of the carboxylate binding pocket. This redesign successfully switched a highly specific enzyme from using only acetate, to be equally specific for using longer linear (up to hexanoate) or branched chain (methylvalerate) carboxylate substrates. The significance of this achievement is that it sets a precedent for understanding the structure-function relationship of an enzyme without the need for an experimentally determined tertiary structure of that target enzyme, and rationally generates new biocatalysts for metabolic engineering of a broad range of metabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naazneen Sofeo
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Jason H. Hart
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Brandon Butler
- Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - David J. Oliver
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Marna D. Yandeau-Nelson
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Basil J. Nikolau
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
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233
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Fernández‐Cabezón L, Cros A, Nikel PI. Evolutionary Approaches for Engineering Industrially Relevant Phenotypes in Bacterial Cell Factories. Biotechnol J 2019; 14:e1800439. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Fernández‐Cabezón
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of Denmark 2800 Kongens Lyngby Denmark
| | - Antonin Cros
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of Denmark 2800 Kongens Lyngby Denmark
| | - Pablo I. Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of Denmark 2800 Kongens Lyngby Denmark
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234
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Det-Udom R, Gilbert C, Liu L, Prakitchaiwattana C, Ellis T, Ledesma-Amaro R. Towards semi-synthetic microbial communities: enhancing soy sauce fermentation properties in B. subtilis co-cultures. Microb Cell Fact 2019; 18:101. [PMID: 31159886 PMCID: PMC6547557 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-019-1149-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many fermented foods and beverages are produced through the action of complex microbial communities. Synthetic biology approaches offer the ability to genetically engineer these communities to improve the properties of these fermented foods. Soy sauce is a fermented condiment with a vast global market. Engineering members of the microbial communities responsible for soy sauce fermentation may therefore lead to the development of improved products. One important property is the colour of soy sauce, with recent evidence pointing to a consumer preference for more lightly-coloured soy sauce products for particular dishes. RESULTS Here we show that a bacterial member of the natural soy sauce fermentation microbial community, Bacillus, can be engineered to reduce the 'browning' reaction during soy sauce production. We show that two approaches result in 'de-browning': engineered consumption of xylose, an important precursor in the browning reaction, and engineered degradation of melanoidins, the major brown pigments in soy sauce. Lastly, we show that these two strategies work synergistically using co-cultures to result in enhanced de-browning. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the potential of using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering methods for fine-tuning the process of soy sauce fermentation and indeed for many other natural food and beverage fermentations for improved products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachatida Det-Udom
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Charlie Gilbert
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Long Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Cheunjit Prakitchaiwattana
- Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Tom Ellis
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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235
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Xu L, Coleman-Derr D. Causes and consequences of a conserved bacterial root microbiome response to drought stress. Curr Opin Microbiol 2019; 49:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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236
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Lim HJ, Kim DM. Cell-Free Metabolic Engineering: Recent Developments and Future Prospects. Methods Protoc 2019; 2:mps2020033. [PMID: 31164613 PMCID: PMC6632161 DOI: 10.3390/mps2020033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the ongoing crises of fossil fuel depletion, climate change, and environmental pollution, microbial processes are increasingly considered as a potential alternative for cleaner and more efficient production of the diverse chemicals required for modern civilization. However, many issues, including low efficiency of raw material conversion and unintended release of genetically modified microorganisms into the environment, have limited the use of bioprocesses that rely on recombinant microorganisms. Cell-free metabolic engineering is emerging as a new approach that overcomes the limitations of existing cell-based systems. Instead of relying on metabolic processes carried out by living cells, cell-free metabolic engineering harnesses the metabolic activities of cell lysates in vitro. Such approaches offer several potential benefits, including operational simplicity, high conversion yield and productivity, and prevention of environmental release of microorganisms. In this article, we review the recent progress in this field and discuss the prospects of this technique as a next-generation bioconversion platform for the chemical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.
| | - Dong-Myung Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.
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237
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Wan X, Marsafari M, Xu P. Engineering metabolite-responsive transcriptional factors to sense small molecules in eukaryotes: current state and perspectives. Microb Cell Fact 2019; 18:61. [PMID: 30914048 PMCID: PMC6434827 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-019-1111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature has evolved exquisite sensing mechanisms to detect cellular and environmental signals surrounding living organisms. These biosensors have been widely used to sense small molecules, detect environmental cues and diagnose disease markers. Metabolic engineers and synthetic biologists have been able to exploit metabolites-responsive transcriptional factors (MRTFs) as basic tools to rewire cell metabolism, reprogram cellular activity as well as boost cell’s productivity. This is commonly achieved by integrating sensor-actuator systems with biocatalytic functions and dynamically allocating cellular resources to drive carbon flux toward the target pathway. Up to date, most of identified MRTFs are derived from bacteria. As an endeavor to advance intelligent biomanufacturing in yeast cell factory, we will summarize the opportunities and challenges to transfer the bacteria-derived MRTFs to expand the small-molecule sensing capability in eukaryotic cells. We will discuss the design principles underlying MRTF-based biosensors in eukaryotic cells, including the choice of reliable reporters and the characterization tools to minimize background noise, strategies to tune the sensor dynamic range, sensitivity and specificity, as well as the criteria to engineer activator and repressor-based biosensors. Due to the physical separation of transcription and protein expression in eukaryotes, we argue that nuclear import/export mechanism of MRTFs across the nuclear membrane plays a critical role in regulating the MRTF sensor dynamics. Precisely-controlled MRTF response will allow us to repurpose the vast majority of transcriptional factors as molecular switches to achieve temporal or spatial gene expression in eukaryotes. Uncovering this knowledge will inform us fundamental design principles to deliver robust cell factories and enable the design of reprogrammable and predictable biological systems for intelligent biomanufacturing, smart therapeutics or precision medicine in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wan
- Department of Chemical Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA.,Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430062, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, 430062, Hubei, China
| | - Monireh Marsafari
- Department of Chemical Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA.,Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, University of Guilan, Rasht, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Chemical Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA.
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238
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Interactive programming paradigm for real-time experimentation with remote living matter. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:5411-5419. [PMID: 30824592 PMCID: PMC6431204 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1815367116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Biology cloud laboratories are an emerging approach to lowering access barriers for life-science experimentation. However, suitable programming approaches and interfaces are lacking for both domain experts and lay users, especially ones that enable interaction with the living matter itself and not just the control of equipment. Here we present a programming paradigm for real-time interactive applications with remotely housed biological systems which is accessible and useful for scientists, programmers, and lay people. Our user studies show that scientists and nonscientists are able to rapidly develop a variety of applications, such as interactive biophysics experiments and games. This paradigm has the potential to make first-hand experiences with biology accessible to all of society and to accelerate the rate of scientific discovery. Recent advancements in life-science instrumentation and automation enable entirely new modes of human interaction with microbiological processes and corresponding applications for science and education through biology cloud laboratories. A critical barrier for remote and on-site life-science experimentation (for both experts and nonexperts alike) is the absence of suitable abstractions and interfaces for programming living matter. To this end we conceptualize a programming paradigm that provides stimulus and sensor control functions for real-time manipulation of physical biological matter. Additionally, a simulation mode facilitates higher user throughput, program debugging, and biophysical modeling. To evaluate this paradigm, we implemented a JavaScript-based web toolkit, “Bioty,” that supports real-time interaction with swarms of phototactic Euglena cells hosted on a cloud laboratory. Studies with remote and on-site users demonstrate that individuals with little to no biology knowledge and intermediate programming knowledge were able to successfully create and use scientific applications and games. This work informs the design of programming environments for controlling living matter in general, for living material microfabrication and swarm robotics applications, and for lowering the access barriers to the life sciences for professional and citizen scientists, learners, and the lay public.
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239
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Rodríguez Amor D, Dal Bello M. Bottom-Up Approaches to Synthetic Cooperation in Microbial Communities. Life (Basel) 2019; 9:E22. [PMID: 30813538 PMCID: PMC6462982 DOI: 10.3390/life9010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial cooperation pervades ecological scales, from single-species populations to host-associated microbiomes. Understanding the mechanisms promoting the stability of cooperation against potential threats by cheaters is a major question that only recently has been approached experimentally. Synthetic biology has helped to uncover some of these basic mechanisms, which were to some extent anticipated by theoretical predictions. Moreover, synthetic cooperation is a promising lead towards the engineering of novel functions and enhanced productivity of microbial communities. Here, we review recent progress on engineered cooperation in microbial ecosystems. We focus on bottom-up approaches that help to better understand cooperation at the population level, progressively addressing the challenges of tackling higher degrees of complexity: spatial structure, multispecies communities, and host-associated microbiomes. We envisage cooperation as a key ingredient in engineering complex microbial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Rodríguez Amor
- Physics of Living Systems, Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Martina Dal Bello
- Physics of Living Systems, Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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