1
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Mansouri M, Fussenegger M. Therapeutic cell engineering: designing programmable synthetic genetic circuits in mammalian cells. Protein Cell 2022; 13:476-489. [PMID: 34586617 PMCID: PMC9226217 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00876-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy approaches that employ engineered mammalian cells for on-demand production of therapeutic agents in the patient's body are moving beyond proof-of-concept in translational medicine. The therapeutic cells can be customized to sense user-defined signals, process them, and respond in a programmable and predictable way. In this paper, we introduce the available tools and strategies employed to design therapeutic cells. Then, various approaches to control cell behaviors, including open-loop and closed-loop systems, are discussed. We also highlight therapeutic applications of engineered cells for early diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in the clinic and in experimental disease models. Finally, we consider emerging technologies such as digital devices and their potential for incorporation into future cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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2
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McNerney MP, Doiron KE, Ng TL, Chang TZ, Silver PA. Theranostic cells: emerging clinical applications of synthetic biology. Nat Rev Genet 2021; 22:730-746. [PMID: 34234299 PMCID: PMC8261392 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-021-00383-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology seeks to redesign biological systems to perform novel functions in a predictable manner. Recent advances in bacterial and mammalian cell engineering include the development of cells that function in biological samples or within the body as minimally invasive diagnostics or theranostics for the real-time regulation of complex diseased states. Ex vivo and in vivo cell-based biosensors and therapeutics have been developed to target a wide range of diseases including cancer, microbiome dysbiosis and autoimmune and metabolic diseases. While probiotic therapies have advanced to clinical trials, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have received regulatory approval, exemplifying the clinical potential of cellular therapies. This Review discusses preclinical and clinical applications of bacterial and mammalian sensing and drug delivery platforms as well as the underlying biological designs that could enable new classes of cell diagnostics and therapeutics. Additionally, we describe challenges that must be overcome for more rapid and safer clinical use of engineered systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica P McNerney
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kailyn E Doiron
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tai L Ng
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy Z Chang
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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Gheorghiu M, Polonschii C, Popescu O, Gheorghiu E. Advanced Optogenetic-Based Biosensing and Related Biomaterials. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14154151. [PMID: 34361345 PMCID: PMC8347019 DOI: 10.3390/ma14154151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ability to stimulate mammalian cells with light, brought along by optogenetic control, has significantly broadened our understanding of electrically excitable tissues. Backed by advanced (bio)materials, it has recently paved the way towards novel biosensing concepts supporting bio-analytics applications transversal to the main biomedical stream. The advancements concerning enabling biomaterials and related novel biosensing concepts involving optogenetics are reviewed with particular focus on the use of engineered cells for cell-based sensing platforms and the available toolbox (from mere actuators and reporters to novel multifunctional opto-chemogenetic tools) for optogenetic-enabled real-time cellular diagnostics and biosensor development. The key advantages of these modified cell-based biosensors concern both significantly faster (minutes instead of hours) and higher sensitivity detection of low concentrations of bioactive/toxic analytes (below the threshold concentrations in classical cellular sensors) as well as improved standardization as warranted by unified analytic platforms. These novel multimodal functional electro-optical label-free assays are reviewed among the key elements for optogenetic-based biosensing standardization. This focused review is a potential guide for materials researchers interested in biosensing based on light-responsive biomaterials and related analytic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Gheorghiu
- International Centre of Biodynamics, 1B Intrarea Portocalelor, 060101 Bucharest, Romania;
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (E.G.)
| | - Cristina Polonschii
- International Centre of Biodynamics, 1B Intrarea Portocalelor, 060101 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Octavian Popescu
- Molecular Biology Center, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai-University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independentei, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Eugen Gheorghiu
- International Centre of Biodynamics, 1B Intrarea Portocalelor, 060101 Bucharest, Romania;
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (E.G.)
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4
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Bhave G, Chen JC, Singer A, Sharma A, Robinson JT. Distributed sensor and actuator networks for closed-loop bioelectronic medicine. MATERIALS TODAY (KIDLINGTON, ENGLAND) 2021; 46:125-135. [PMID: 34366697 PMCID: PMC8336425 DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2020.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Designing implantable bioelectronic systems that continuously monitor physiological functions and simultaneously provide personalized therapeutic solutions for patients remains a persistent challenge across many applications ranging from neural systems to bioelectronic organs. Closed-loop systems typically consist of three functional blocks, namely, sensors, signal processors and actuators. An effective system, that can provide the necessary therapeutics, tailored to individual physiological factors requires a distributed network of sensors and actuators. While significant progress has been made, closed-loop systems still face many challenges before they can truly be considered as long-term solutions for many diseases. In this review, we consider three important criteria where materials play a critical role to enable implantable closed-loop systems: Specificity, Biocompatibility and Connectivity. We look at the progress made in each of these fields with respect to a specific application and outline the challenges in creating bioelectronic technologies for the future.
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5
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Okamoto Y, Kojima R. Intracellular Unnatural Catalysis Enabled by an Artificial Metalloenzyme. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2312:287-300. [PMID: 34228297 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1441-9_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Artificial metalloenzymes, constructed by incorporating a synthetic catalyst into the internal spaces of a protein scaffold, can perform noncanonical chemical transformations that are not possible using natural enzymes. The addition of cell-permeable modules to artificial metalloenzymes allows for noncanonical catalysis to be implemented as a function of mammalian cells. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for controlling cellular function through a cascade consisting of an artificial metalloenzyme and a gene-circuit engineered via synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Okamoto
- Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Kojima
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
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6
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Schneider N, Chatelle CV, Ochoa-Fernandez R, Zurbriggen MD, Weber W. Green Light-Controlled Gene Switch for Mammalian and Plant Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2312:89-107. [PMID: 34228286 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1441-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The quest to engineer increasingly complex synthetic gene networks in mammalian and plant cells requires an ever-growing portfolio of orthogonal gene expression systems. To control gene expression, light is of particular interest due to high spatial and temporal resolution, ease of dosage and simplicity of administration, enabling increasingly sophisticated man-machine interfaces. However, the majority of applied optogenetic switches are crowded in the UVB, blue and red/far-red light parts of the optical spectrum, limiting the number of simultaneously applicable stimuli. This problem is even more pertinent in plant cells, in which UV-A/B, blue, and red light-responsive photoreceptors are already expressed endogenously. To alleviate these challenges, we developed a green light responsive gene switch, based on the light-sensitive bacterial transcription factor CarH from Thermus thermophilus and its cognate DNA operator sequence CarO. The switch is characterized by high reversibility, high transgene expression levels, and low leakiness, leading to up to 350-fold induction ratios in mammalian cells. In this chapter, we describe the essential steps to build functional components of the green light-regulated gene switch, followed by detailed protocols to quantify transgene expression over time in mammalian cells. In addition, we expand this protocol with a description of how the optogenetic switch can be implemented in protoplasts of A. thaliana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Schneider
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS and Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Celonic AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claire V Chatelle
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS and Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,DSM Nutritional Products, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
| | - Rocio Ochoa-Fernandez
- Institute of Synthetic Biology and iGRAD Plant Graduate School, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matias D Zurbriggen
- Institute of Synthetic Biology and iGRAD Plant Graduate School, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,CEPLAS-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS and Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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7
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Azizian K, Pustokhina I, Ghanavati R, Hamblin MR, Amini A, Kouhsari E. The potential use of theranostic bacteria in cancer. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:4184-4194. [PMID: 33174198 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Conventional chemotherapy approaches have not been fully successful in the treatment of cancer, due to limitations imposed by the pathophysiology of solid tumors, leading to nonspecific drug uptake by healthy cells, poor bioavailability, and toxicity. Thus, novel therapeutic modalities for more efficient cancer treatment are urgently required. Living bacteria can be used as a theranostic approach for the simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of tumors. Herein, we summarize the currently available literature focused on the advantages and challenges for the use of theranostic bacteria in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Azizian
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Inna Pustokhina
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Michael R Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, South Africa
| | - Abolfazl Amini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Kouhsari
- Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.,Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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8
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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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9
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Kojima R, Aubel D, Fussenegger M. Building sophisticated sensors of extracellular cues that enable mammalian cells to work as "doctors" in the body. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3567-3581. [PMID: 32185403 PMCID: PMC7452942 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03486-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian cells are inherently capable of sensing extracellular environmental signals and activating complex biological functions on demand. Advances in synthetic biology have made it possible to install additional capabilities, which can allow cells to sense the presence of custom biological molecules and provide defined outputs on demand. When implanted/infused in patients, such engineered cells can work as intrabody "doctors" that diagnose disease states and produce and deliver therapeutic molecules when and where necessary. The key to construction of such theranostic cells is the development of a range of sensor systems for detecting various extracellular environmental cues that can be rewired to custom outputs. In this review, we introduce the state-of-art engineering principles utilized in the design of sensor systems to detect soluble factors and also to detect specific cell contact, and we discuss their potential role in treating intractable diseases by delivering appropriate therapeutic functions on demand. We also discuss the challenges facing these emerging technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.
| | - Dominque Aubel
- IUTA Département Génie Biologique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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10
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Jaumaux F, P. Gómez de Cadiñanos L, Gabant P. In the Age of Synthetic Biology, Will Antimicrobial Peptides be the Next Generation of Antibiotics? Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9080484. [PMID: 32781540 PMCID: PMC7460114 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9080484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics have changed human health and revolutionised medical practice since the Second World War. Today, the use of antibiotics is increasingly limited by the rise of antimicrobial-resistant strains. Additionally, broad-spectrum antibiotic activity is not adapted to maintaining a balanced microbiome essential for human health. Targeted antimicrobials could overcome these two drawbacks. Although the rational design of targeted antimicrobial molecules presents a formidable challenge, in nature, targeted genetically encoded killing molecules are used by microbes in their natural ecosystems. The use of a synthetic biology approach allows the harnessing of these natural functions. In this commentary article we illustrate the potential of applying synthetic biology towards bacteriocins to design a new generation of antimicrobials.
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11
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Kojima R, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Biology: Engineering Mammalian Cells To Control Cell-to-Cell Communication at Will. Chembiochem 2019; 20:994-1002. [PMID: 30589185 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell-to-cell communication plays a key role in the regulation of many natural biological processes. Recent advances in mammalian synthetic biology are making it possible to rationally engineer cell-to-cell communication for therapeutic and other purposes. Here, we review state-of-the-art engineering principles to control cell-to-cell communication, focusing on communication between mammalian cells with diffusible factors (e.g., small molecules or exosomes) or direct cell contact, and on interkingdom communication between mammalian cells and bacteria. Potential applications include construction of artificial tissues able to perform complex computations, sophisticated cell-based cancer therapies, use of mammalian cells as a new class of cargo delivery modality, development of design principles to control pattern formation of cell populations, and treatment of infectious diseases. We also discuss the challenges facing practical applications, and possible enabling technologies to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Gao XJ, Chong LS, Kim MS, Elowitz MB. Programmable protein circuits in living cells. Science 2018; 361:1252-1258. [PMID: 30237357 DOI: 10.1126/science.aat5062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic protein-level circuits could enable engineering of powerful new cellular behaviors. Rational protein circuit design would be facilitated by a composable protein-protein regulation system in which individual protein components can regulate one another to create a variety of different circuit architectures. In this study, we show that engineered viral proteases can function as composable protein components, which can together implement a broad variety of circuit-level functions in mammalian cells. In this system, termed CHOMP (circuits of hacked orthogonal modular proteases), input proteases dock with and cleave target proteases to inhibit their function. These components can be connected to generate regulatory cascades, binary logic gates, and dynamic analog signal-processing functions. To demonstrate the utility of this system, we rationally designed a circuit that induces cell death in response to upstream activators of the Ras oncogene. Because CHOMP circuits can perform complex functions yet be encoded as single transcripts and delivered without genomic integration, they offer a scalable platform to facilitate protein circuit engineering for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing J Gao
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Broad Center, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Lucy S Chong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Broad Center, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Matthew S Kim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Broad Center, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Michael B Elowitz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Broad Center, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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13
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Singhvi G, Girdhar V, Patil S, Gupta G, Hansbro PM, Dua K. Microbiome as therapeutics in vesicular delivery. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 104:738-741. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.05.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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14
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Weisenberger MS, Deans TL. Bottom-up approaches in synthetic biology and biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 45:599-614. [PMID: 29552703 PMCID: PMC6041164 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-018-2027-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biologists use engineering principles to design and construct genetic circuits for programming cells with novel functions. A bottom-up approach is commonly used to design and construct genetic circuits by piecing together functional modules that are capable of reprogramming cells with novel behavior. While genetic circuits control cell operations through the tight regulation of gene expression, a diverse array of environmental factors within the extracellular space also has a significant impact on cell behavior. This extracellular space offers an addition route for synthetic biologists to apply their engineering principles to program cell-responsive modules within the extracellular space using biomaterials. In this review, we discuss how taking a bottom-up approach to build genetic circuits using DNA modules can be applied to biomaterials for controlling cell behavior from the extracellular milieu. We suggest that, by collectively controlling intrinsic and extrinsic signals in synthetic biology and biomaterials, tissue engineering outcomes can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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15
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Chatelle C, Ochoa-Fernandez R, Engesser R, Schneider N, Beyer HM, Jones AR, Timmer J, Zurbriggen MD, Weber W. A Green-Light-Responsive System for the Control of Transgene Expression in Mammalian and Plant Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:1349-1358. [PMID: 29634242 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The ever-increasing complexity of synthetic gene networks and applications of synthetic biology requires precise and orthogonal gene expression systems. Of particular interest are systems responsive to light as they enable the control of gene expression dynamics with unprecedented resolution in space and time. While broadly used in mammalian backgrounds, however, optogenetic approaches in plant cells are still limited due to interference of the activating light with endogenous photoreceptors. Here, we describe the development of the first synthetic light-responsive system for the targeted control of gene expression in mammalian and plant cells that responds to the green range of the light spectrum in which plant photoreceptors have minimal activity. We first engineered a system based on the light-sensitive bacterial transcription factor CarH and its cognate DNA operator sequence CarO from Thermus thermophilus to control gene expression in mammalian cells. The system was functional in various mammalian cell lines, showing high induction (up to 350-fold) along with low leakiness, as well as high reversibility. We quantitatively described the systems characteristics by the development and experimental validation of a mathematical model. Finally, we transferred the system into A. thaliana protoplasts and demonstrated gene repression in response to green light. We expect that this system will provide new opportunities in applications based on synthetic gene networks and will open up perspectives for optogenetic studies in mammalian and plant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alex R. Jones
- National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, U.K
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16
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Okamoto Y, Kojima R, Schwizer F, Bartolami E, Heinisch T, Matile S, Fussenegger M, Ward TR. A cell-penetrating artificial metalloenzyme regulates a gene switch in a designer mammalian cell. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1943. [PMID: 29769518 PMCID: PMC5955986 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04440-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Complementing enzymes in their native environment with either homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts is challenging due to the sea of functionalities present within a cell. To supplement these efforts, artificial metalloenzymes are drawing attention as they combine attractive features of both homogeneous catalysts and enzymes. Herein we show that such hybrid catalysts consisting of a metal cofactor, a cell-penetrating module, and a protein scaffold are taken up into HEK-293T cells where they catalyze the uncaging of a hormone. This bioorthogonal reaction causes the upregulation of a gene circuit, which in turn leads to the expression of a nanoluc-luciferase. Relying on the biotin-streptavidin technology, variation of the biotinylated ruthenium complex: the biotinylated cell-penetrating poly(disulfide) ratio can be combined with point mutations on streptavidin to optimize the catalytic uncaging of an allyl-carbamate-protected thyroid hormone triiodothyronine. These results demonstrate that artificial metalloenzymes offer highly modular tools to perform bioorthogonal catalysis in live HEK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Okamoto
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ryosuke Kojima
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland.,Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Fabian Schwizer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eline Bartolami
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tillmann Heinisch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Matile
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas R Ward
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, BPR 1096, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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17
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Kojima R, Bojar D, Rizzi G, Hamri GCE, El-Baba MD, Saxena P, Ausländer S, Tan KR, Fussenegger M. Designer exosomes produced by implanted cells intracerebrally deliver therapeutic cargo for Parkinson's disease treatment. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1305. [PMID: 29610454 PMCID: PMC5880805 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03733-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles (50-150 nm), which mediate intercellular communication, and are candidate therapeutic agents. However, inefficiency of exosomal message transfer, such as mRNA, and lack of methods to create designer exosomes have hampered their development into therapeutic interventions. Here, we report a set of EXOsomal transfer into cells (EXOtic) devices that enable efficient, customizable production of designer exosomes in engineered mammalian cells. These genetically encoded devices in exosome producer cells enhance exosome production, specific mRNA packaging, and delivery of the mRNA into the cytosol of target cells, enabling efficient cell-to-cell communication without the need to concentrate exosomes. Further, engineered producer cells implanted in living mice could consistently deliver cargo mRNA to the brain. Therapeutic catalase mRNA delivery by designer exosomes attenuated neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease, indicating the potential usefulness of the EXOtic devices for RNA delivery-based therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Daniel Bojar
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Rizzi
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ghislaine Charpin-El Hamri
- Département Génie Biologique, Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUTA), F-69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Marie Daoud El-Baba
- Département Génie Biologique, Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUTA), F-69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Pratik Saxena
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon Ausländer
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kelly R Tan
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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18
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Ho P, Chen YY. Synthetic Biology in Immunotherapy and Stem Cell Therapy Engineering. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527688104.ch17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ho
- University of California; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; 420 Westwood Plaza, Boelter Hall 5532, Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Yvonne Y. Chen
- University of California; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; 420 Westwood Plaza, Boelter Hall 5532, Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
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19
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Mei X, Wang W, Yan L, Hu T, Liang R, Yan D, Wei M, Evans DG, Duan X. Hydrotalcite monolayer toward high performance synergistic dual-modal imaging and cancer therapy. Biomaterials 2018; 165:14-24. [PMID: 29500979 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Recently, theranostic has drawn tremendous attention by virtue of the nanotechnology development and new material exploration. Herein, we reported a novel theranostic system by loading Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) and Chlorin e6 (photosensitizer, Ce6) onto the monolayer nanosheet surface of Gd-doped layered double hydroxide (Gd-LDH). The as-prepared Ce6&AuNCs/Gd-LDH exhibits a largely enhanced fluorescence quantum yield (QY) of 18.5% relative to pristine AuNCs (QY = 3.1%) as well as superior T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performance (r1 = 17.57 mM-1s-1) compared with commercial MRI contrast agent (Gd(III)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (Gd-DOTA): r1 ≈ 3.4 mM-1s-1), resulting from a synergistic effect between AuNCs and Gd-LDH. In addition, both in vitro and in vivo therapeutic evaluations demonstrate an efficient dual-modality imaging guided anticancer performance, especially the synergetic enhanced magnetic resonance/fluorescence (MR/FL) visualization of tumor site. Therefore, this work demonstrates a successful paradigm for the design and preparation of LDHs monolayer-based theranostic material, which holds great promises in practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Liang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Tingting Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Ruizheng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China.
| | - Dan Yan
- Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, PR China.
| | - Min Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China.
| | - David G Evans
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
| | - Xue Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, PR China
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20
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Kojima R, Scheller L, Fussenegger M. Nonimmune cells equipped with T-cell-receptor-like signaling for cancer cell ablation. Nat Chem Biol 2017; 14:42-49. [PMID: 29131143 PMCID: PMC5730048 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The ability to engineer custom cell-contact-sensing output devices into
human non-immune cells would be useful for extending the applicability of
cell-based cancer therapies and avoiding risks associated with engineered immune
cells. Here, we have developed a new class of synthetic T-cell receptor-like
signal-transduction device that functions efficiently in human non-immune cells
and triggers release of output molecules specifically upon sensing contact with
a target cell. This device employs an interleukin signaling cascade, whose
OFF/ON switching is controlled by biophysical segregation of a transmembrane
signal-inhibitory protein from the sensor cell/target cell interface. We further
showed that designer non-immune cells equipped with this device driving
expression of a membrane-penetrator/prodrug-activating enzyme construct could
specifically kill target cells in the presence of the prodrug, indicating its
potential usefulness for target-cell-specific, cell-based enzyme-prodrug cancer
therapy. Our study also contributes to advancement of synthetic biology by
extending available design principles to transmit extracellular information to
cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leo Scheller
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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21
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Wei TY, Cheng CM. Synthetic Biology-Based Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Infectious Disease. Cell Chem Biol 2017; 23:1056-1066. [PMID: 27662252 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases outpace all other causes of death in low-income countries, posing global health risks, laying stress on healthcare systems and societies, and taking an avoidable human toll. One solution to this crisis is early diagnosis of infectious disease, which represents a powerful way to optimize treatment, increase patient survival rate, and decrease healthcare costs. However, conventional early diagnosis methods take a long time to generate results, lack accuracy, and are known to seriously underperform with regard to fungal and viral infections. Synthetic biology offers a fast and highly accurate alternative to conventional infectious disease diagnosis. In this review, we outline obstacles to infectious disease diagnostics and discuss two emerging alternatives: synthetic viral diagnostic systems and biosensors. We argue that these synthetic biology-based approaches may overcome diagnostic obstacles in infectious disease and improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yen Wei
- Interdisciplinary Program of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Min Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
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22
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Certain LK, Way JC, Pezone MJ, Collins JJ. Using Engineered Bacteria to Characterize Infection Dynamics and Antibiotic Effects In Vivo. Cell Host Microbe 2017; 22:263-268.e4. [PMID: 28867388 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has focused on engineering microbes to synthesize useful products or to serve as living diagnostics and therapeutics. Here we utilize a host-derived Escherichia coli strain engineered with a genetic toggle switch as a research tool to examine in vivo replicative states in a mouse model of chronic infection, and to compare in vivo and in vitro bacterial behavior. In contrast to the effect of antibiotics in vitro, we find that the fraction of actively dividing bacteria remains relatively high throughout the course of a chronic infection in vivo and increases in response to antibiotics. Moreover, the presence of non-dividing bacteria in vivo does not necessarily lead to an antibiotic-tolerant infection, in contrast to expectations from in vitro experiments. These results demonstrate the utility of engineered bacteria for querying pathogen behavior in vivo, and the importance of validating in vitro studies of antibiotic effects with in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Certain
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Way
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthew J Pezone
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Center, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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23
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Societal impact of synthetic biology: responsible research and innovation (RRI). Essays Biochem 2017; 60:371-379. [PMID: 27903824 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20160039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is an emerging field at the interface between biology and engineering, which has generated many expectations for beneficial biomedical and biotechnological applications. At the same time, however, it has also raised concerns about risks or the aim of producing new forms of living organisms. Researchers from different disciplines as well as policymakers and the general public have expressed the need for a form of technology assessment that not only deals with technical aspects, but also includes societal and ethical issues. A recent and very influential model of technology assessment that tries to implement these aims is known as RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation). In this paper, we introduce this model and its historical precursor strategies. Based on the societal and ethical issues which are presented in the current literature, we discuss challenges and opportunities of applying the RRI model for the assessment of synthetic biology.
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24
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Ho P, Chen YY. Mammalian synthetic biology in the age of genome editing and personalized medicine. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2017. [PMID: 28628856 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The recent expansion of molecular tool kits has propelled synthetic biology toward the design of increasingly sophisticated mammalian systems. Specifically, advances in genome editing, protein engineering, and circuitry design have enabled the programming of cells for diverse applications, including regenerative medicine and cancer immunotherapy. The ease with which molecular and cellular interactions can be harnessed promises to yield novel approaches to elucidate genetic interactions, program cellular functions, and design therapeutic interventions. Here, we review recent advancements in the development of enabling technologies and the practical applications of mammalian synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ho
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles, 420 Westwood Plaza, Boelter Hall 5531, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles, 420 Westwood Plaza, Boelter Hall 5531, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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25
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26
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Abstract
Biologics are a promising new class of drugs based on complex macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. However, delivery of these macromolecules into the cytoplasm of target cells remains a significant challenge. Here we present one potential solution: bacterial nanomachines that have evolved over millions of years to efficiently deliver proteins and nucleic acids across cell membranes and between cells. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the different bacterial systems capable of direct delivery into the eukaryotic cytoplasm and the medical applications for which they are being investigated, along with a perspective on the future directions of this exciting field.
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27
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Deans TL, Grainger DW, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Biology: Innovative approaches for pharmaceutics and drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 105:1-2. [PMID: 27653994 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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28
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Abstract
The promise for real precision medicine is contingent on innovative technological solutions to diagnosis and therapy. In the post‐genomic era, rational and systematic approaches to biological design could provide new ways to dynamically probe, monitor, and interface human pathophysiology. Emerging as a mature field increasingly transitioning to the clinics, synthetic biology integrates engineering principles to build sensors, control circuits, and actuators within the biological substrate according to clinical specifications. A particularly tantalizing goal is to develop novel versatile, programmable and autonomous diagnostic devices intertwined with therapy and personalized for the patient to get closest, finest, and most comprehensive diagnostic information and medical procedures. Here, we discuss how synthetic biology could be preparing the future of medicine, supporting and speeding up the development of diagnostics with novel capabilities to bring direct improvement from the clinical laboratory to the patient, while addressing healthcare evolution and global health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Courbet
- Sys2diag FRE3690 CNRS/ALCEDIAGMontpellierFrance
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and INSERM 1411 Clinical Investigation CenterUniversity Hospital of MontpellierMontpellier Cedex 5France
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Institute for Protein DesignUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Eric Renard
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and INSERM 1411 Clinical Investigation CenterUniversity Hospital of MontpellierMontpellier Cedex 5France
- Institute of Functional GenomicsCNRS UMR 5203INSERM U1191University of MontpellierMontpellier Cedex 5France
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