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Ohlendorf R, Möglich A. Light-regulated gene expression in Bacteria: Fundamentals, advances, and perspectives. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1029403. [PMID: 36312534 PMCID: PMC9614035 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1029403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous photoreceptors and genetic circuits emerged over the past two decades and now enable the light-dependent i.e., optogenetic, regulation of gene expression in bacteria. Prompted by light cues in the near-ultraviolet to near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, gene expression can be up- or downregulated stringently, reversibly, non-invasively, and with precision in space and time. Here, we survey the underlying principles, available options, and prominent examples of optogenetically regulated gene expression in bacteria. While transcription initiation and elongation remain most important for optogenetic intervention, other processes e.g., translation and downstream events, were also rendered light-dependent. The optogenetic control of bacterial expression predominantly employs but three fundamental strategies: light-sensitive two-component systems, oligomerization reactions, and second-messenger signaling. Certain optogenetic circuits moved beyond the proof-of-principle and stood the test of practice. They enable unprecedented applications in three major areas. First, light-dependent expression underpins novel concepts and strategies for enhanced yields in microbial production processes. Second, light-responsive bacteria can be optogenetically stimulated while residing within the bodies of animals, thus prompting the secretion of compounds that grant health benefits to the animal host. Third, optogenetics allows the generation of precisely structured, novel biomaterials. These applications jointly testify to the maturity of the optogenetic approach and serve as blueprints bound to inspire and template innovative use cases of light-regulated gene expression in bacteria. Researchers pursuing these lines can choose from an ever-growing, versatile, and efficient toolkit of optogenetic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ohlendorf
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- North-Bavarian NMR Center, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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2
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WANG H, WANG L, FAN K, PAN G. Tetracycline natural products: discovery, biosynthesis and engineering. Chin J Nat Med 2022; 20:773-794. [DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(22)60224-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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3
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Krzysztoń R, Wan Y, Petreczky J, Balázsi G. Gene-circuit therapy on the horizon: synthetic biology tools for engineered therapeutics. Acta Biochim Pol 2021; 68:377-383. [PMID: 34460209 PMCID: PMC8590856 DOI: 10.18388/abp.2020_5744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic genome modification requires precise control over the introduced therapeutic functions. Current approaches of gene and cell therapy fail to deliver such command and rely on semi-quantitative methods with limited influence on timing, contextuality and levels of transgene expression, and hence on therapeutic function. Synthetic biology offers new opportunities for quantitative functionality in designing therapeutic systems and their components. Here, we discuss synthetic biology tools in their therapeutic context, with examples of proof-of-principle and clinical applications of engineered synthetic biomolecules and higher-order functional systems, i.e. gene circuits. We also present the prospects of future development towards advanced gene-circuit therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Krzysztoń
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11974, USA
- The Louis & Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Yiming Wan
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11974, USA
- The Louis & Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Julia Petreczky
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11974, USA
- The Louis & Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Gábor Balázsi
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11974, USA
- The Louis & Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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4
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Dietler J, Schubert R, Krafft TGA, Meiler S, Kainrath S, Richter F, Schweimer K, Weyand M, Janovjak H, Möglich A. A Light-Oxygen-Voltage Receptor Integrates Light and Temperature. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167107. [PMID: 34146595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Sensory photoreceptors enable organisms to adjust their physiology, behavior, and development in response to light, generally with spatiotemporal acuity and reversibility. These traits underlie the use of photoreceptors as genetically encoded actuators to alter by light the state and properties of heterologous organisms. Subsumed as optogenetics, pertinent approaches enable regulating diverse cellular processes, not least gene expression. Here, we controlled the widely used Tet repressor by coupling to light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) modules that either homodimerize or dissociate under blue light. Repression could thus be elevated or relieved, and consequently protein expression was modulated by light. Strikingly, the homodimeric RsLOV module from Rhodobacter sphaeroides not only dissociated under light but intrinsically reacted to temperature. The limited light responses of wild-type RsLOV at 37 °C were enhanced in two variants that exhibited closely similar photochemistry and structure. One variant improved the weak homodimerization affinity of 40 µM by two-fold and thus also bestowed light sensitivity on a receptor tyrosine kinase. Certain photoreceptors, exemplified by RsLOV, can evidently moonlight as temperature sensors which immediately bears on their application in optogenetics and biotechnology. Properly accounted for, the temperature sensitivity can be leveraged for the construction of signal-responsive cellular circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Dietler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Roman Schubert
- Biophysical Chemistry, Humboldt-University Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias G A Krafft
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Simone Meiler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kainrath
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Florian Richter
- Biophysical Chemistry, Humboldt-University Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristian Schweimer
- Biopolymers, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; North-Bavarian NMR Center, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Michael Weyand
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Harald Janovjak
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; Biophysical Chemistry, Humboldt-University Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; North-Bavarian NMR Center, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
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5
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Synthetic biology for improving cell fate decisions and tissue engineering outcomes. Emerg Top Life Sci 2019; 3:631-643. [PMID: 33523179 DOI: 10.1042/etls20190091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is a relatively new field of science that combines aspects of biology and engineering to create novel tools for the construction of biological systems. Using tools within synthetic biology, stem cells can then be reprogrammed and differentiated into a specified cell type. Stem cells have already proven to be largely beneficial in many different therapies and have paved the way for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Although scientists have made great strides in tissue engineering, there still remain many questions to be answered in regard to regeneration. Presented here is an overview of synthetic biology, common tools built within synthetic biology, and the way these tools are being used in stem cells. Specifically, this review focuses on how synthetic biologists engineer genetic circuits to dynamically control gene expression while also introducing emerging topics such as genome engineering and synthetic transcription factors. The findings mentioned in this review show the diverse use of stem cells within synthetic biology and provide a foundation for future research in tissue engineering with the use of synthetic biology tools. Overall, the work done using synthetic biology in stem cells is in its early stages, however, this early work is leading to new approaches for repairing diseased and damaged tissues and organs, and further expanding the field of tissue engineering.
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6
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Xie M, Fussenegger M. Designing cell function: assembly of synthetic gene circuits for cell biology applications. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2019; 19:507-525. [PMID: 29858606 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-018-0024-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is the discipline of engineering application-driven biological functionalities that were not evolved by nature. Early breakthroughs of cell engineering, which were based on ectopic (over)expression of single sets of transgenes, have already had a revolutionary impact on the biotechnology industry, regenerative medicine and blood transfusion therapies. Now, we require larger-scale, rationally assembled genetic circuits engineered to programme and control various human cell functions with high spatiotemporal precision in order to solve more complex problems in applied life sciences, biomedicine and environmental sciences. This will open new possibilities for employing synthetic biology to advance personalized medicine by converting cells into living therapeutics to combat hitherto intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Xie
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel, Switzerland.
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7
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Guinn MT, Balázsi G. Noise-reducing optogenetic negative-feedback gene circuits in human cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7703-7714. [PMID: 31269201 PMCID: PMC6698750 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene autorepression is widely present in nature and is also employed in synthetic biology, partly to reduce gene expression noise in cells. Optogenetic systems have recently been developed for controlling gene expression levels in mammalian cells, but most have utilized activator-based proteins, neglecting negative feedback except for in silico control. Here, we engineer optogenetic gene circuits into mammalian cells to achieve noise-reduction for precise gene expression control by genetic, in vitro negative feedback. We build a toolset of these noise-reducing Light-Inducible Tuner (LITer) gene circuits using the TetR repressor fused with a Tet-inhibiting peptide (TIP) or a degradation tag through the light-sensitive LOV2 protein domain. These LITers provide a range of nearly 4-fold gene expression control and up to 5-fold noise reduction from existing optogenetic systems. Moreover, we use the LITer gene circuit architecture to control gene expression of the cancer oncogene KRAS(G12V) and study its downstream effects through phospho-ERK levels and cellular proliferation. Overall, these novel LITer optogenetic platforms should enable precise spatiotemporal perturbations for studying multicellular phenotypes in developmental biology, oncology and other biomedical fields of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tyler Guinn
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- The Louis and Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Stony Brook Medical Scientist Training Program, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Gábor Balázsi
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- The Louis and Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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8
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Hasenjäger S, Trauth J, Hepp S, Goenrich J, Essen LO, Taxis C. Optogenetic Downregulation of Protein Levels with an Ultrasensitive Switch. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1026-1036. [PMID: 30955324 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic control of protein activity is a versatile technique to gain control over cellular processes, for example, for biomedical and biotechnological applications. Among other techniques, the regulation of protein abundance by controlling either transcription or protein stability found common use as this controls the activity of any type of target protein. Here, we report modules of an improved variant of the photosensitive degron module and a light-sensitive transcription factor, which we compared to doxycycline-dependent transcriptional control. Given their modularity the combined control of synthesis and stability of a given target protein resulted in the synergistic down regulation of its abundance by light. This combined module exhibits very high switching ratios, profound downregulation of protein abundance at low light-fluxes, and fast protein depletion kinetics. Overall, this synergistic optogenetic multistep control (SOMCo) module is easy to implement and results in a regulation of protein abundance superior to each individual component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Hasenjäger
- Department of Biology/Genetics Philipps-University Marburg Karl-vom-Frisch-Straße 8, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Jonathan Trauth
- Department of Biology/Genetics Philipps-University Marburg Karl-vom-Frisch-Straße 8, Marburg, 35032, Germany
- Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry Philipps-University Marburg Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hepp
- Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry Philipps-University Marburg Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Juri Goenrich
- Department of Biology/Genetics Philipps-University Marburg Karl-vom-Frisch-Straße 8, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Lars-Oliver Essen
- Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry Philipps-University Marburg Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Christof Taxis
- Department of Biology/Genetics Philipps-University Marburg Karl-vom-Frisch-Straße 8, Marburg, 35032, Germany
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9
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Abstract
Sensory photoreceptors underpin light-dependent adaptations of organismal physiology, development, and behavior in nature. Adapted for optogenetics, sensory photoreceptors become genetically encoded actuators and reporters to enable the noninvasive, spatiotemporally accurate and reversible control by light of cellular processes. Rooted in a mechanistic understanding of natural photoreceptors, artificial photoreceptors with customized light-gated function have been engineered that greatly expand the scope of optogenetics beyond the original application of light-controlled ion flow. As we survey presently, UV/blue-light-sensitive photoreceptors have particularly allowed optogenetics to transcend its initial neuroscience applications by unlocking numerous additional cellular processes and parameters for optogenetic intervention, including gene expression, DNA recombination, subcellular localization, cytoskeleton dynamics, intracellular protein stability, signal transduction cascades, apoptosis, and enzyme activity. The engineering of novel photoreceptors benefits from powerful and reusable design strategies, most importantly light-dependent protein association and (un)folding reactions. Additionally, modified versions of these same sensory photoreceptors serve as fluorescent proteins and generators of singlet oxygen, thereby further enriching the optogenetic toolkit. The available and upcoming UV/blue-light-sensitive actuators and reporters enable the detailed and quantitative interrogation of cellular signal networks and processes in increasingly more precise and illuminating manners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aba Losi
- Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences , University of Parma , Parco Area delle Scienze 7/A-43124 Parma , Italy
| | - Kevin H Gardner
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center , New York , New York 10031 , United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York , New York , New York 10031 , United States.,Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Biology , The Graduate Center of the City University of New York , New York , New York 10016 , United States
| | - Andreas Möglich
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie , Universität Bayreuth , 95447 Bayreuth , Germany.,Research Center for Bio-Macromolecules , Universität Bayreuth , 95447 Bayreuth , Germany.,Bayreuth Center for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Universität Bayreuth , 95447 Bayreuth , Germany
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10
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Polesskaya O, Baranova A, Bui S, Kondratev N, Kananykhina E, Nazarenko O, Shapiro T, Nardia FB, Kornienko V, Chandhoke V, Stadler I, Lanzafame R, Myakishev-Rempel M. Optogenetic regulation of transcription. BMC Neurosci 2018; 19:12. [PMID: 29745855 PMCID: PMC5998900 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-018-0411-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics has become widely recognized for its success in real-time control of brain neurons by utilizing non-mammalian photosensitive proteins to open or close membrane channels. Here we review a less well known type of optogenetic constructs that employs photosensitive proteins to transduce the signal to regulate gene transcription, and its possible use in medicine. One of the problems with existing gene therapies is that they could remain active indefinitely while not allowing regulated transgene production on demand. Optogenetic regulation of transcription (ORT) could potentially be used to regulate the production of a biological drug in situ, by repeatedly applying light to the tissue, and inducing expression of therapeutic transgenes when needed. Red and near infrared wavelengths, which are capable of penetration into tissues, have potential for therapeutic applications. Existing ORT systems are reviewed herein with these considerations in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ancha Baranova
- Research Center for Medical Genetics RAMS, Moscow, Russia.,Center for the Study of Chronic Metabolic and Rare Diseases, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.,Atlas Biomed Group, Moscow, Russia.,Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Sarah Bui
- Center for the Study of Chronic Metabolic and Rare Diseases, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Vikas Chandhoke
- Center for the Study of Chronic Metabolic and Rare Diseases, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | | | - Max Myakishev-Rempel
- Localized Therapeutics, LLC, San Diego, CA, USA. .,Vaccine Research Institute of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
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11
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Strategies for the photo-control of endogenous protein activity. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2017; 45:53-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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12
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MacDonald IC, Deans TL. Tools and applications in synthetic biology. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 105:20-34. [PMID: 27568463 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology have enabled the engineering of cells with genetic circuits in order to program cells with new biological behavior, dynamic gene expression, and logic control. This cellular engineering progression offers an array of living sensors that can discriminate between cell states, produce a regulated dose of therapeutic biomolecules, and function in various delivery platforms. In this review, we highlight and summarize the tools and applications in bacterial and mammalian synthetic biology. The examples detailed in this review provide insight to further understand genetic circuits, how they are used to program cells with novel functions, and current methods to reliably interface this technology in vivo; thus paving the way for the design of promising novel therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Cody MacDonald
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States.
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13
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Manzoni R, Urrios A, Velazquez-Garcia S, de Nadal E, Posas F. Synthetic biology: insights into biological computation. Integr Biol (Camb) 2016; 8:518-32. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00274e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology attempts to rationally engineer biological systems in order to perform desired functions. Our increasing understanding of biological systems guides this rational design, while the huge background in electronics for building circuits defines the methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romilde Manzoni
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Arturo Urrios
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Silvia Velazquez-Garcia
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Eulàlia de Nadal
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
| | - Francesc Posas
- Cell Signaling Research Group
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
- E-08003 Barcelona
- Spain
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