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Chen PY, Chen YC, Chen PP, Lin KT, Sargsyan K, Hsu CP, Wang WL, Hsia KC, Ting SY. A whole-cell platform for discovering synthetic cell adhesion molecules in bacteria. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6568. [PMID: 39095377 PMCID: PMC11297345 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51017-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing programmable bacterial cell-cell adhesion is of significant interest due to its versatile applications. Current methods that rely on presenting cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) on bacterial surfaces are limited by the lack of a generalizable strategy to identify such molecules targeting bacterial membrane proteins in their natural states. Here, we introduce a whole-cell screening platform designed to discover CAMs targeting bacterial membrane proteins within a synthetic bacteria-displayed nanobody library. Leveraging the potency of the bacterial type IV secretion system-a contact-dependent DNA delivery nanomachine-we have established a positive feedback mechanism to selectively enrich for bacteria displaying nanobodies that target antigen-expressing cells. Our platform successfully identified functional CAMs capable of recognizing three distinct outer membrane proteins (TraN, OmpA, OmpC), demonstrating its efficacy in CAM discovery. This approach holds promise for engineering bacterial cell-cell adhesion, such as directing the antibacterial activity of programmed inhibitor cells toward target bacteria in mixed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Yin Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chih Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Pang Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ting Lin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chao-Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chao-Ping Hsu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Physics Division, National Center for Theoretical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Le Wang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chao-Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chiang Hsia
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - See-Yeun Ting
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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2
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Prieto A, Miró L, Margolles Y, Bernabeu M, Salguero D, Merino S, Tomas J, Corbera JA, Perez-Bosque A, Huttener M, Fernández LÁ, Juarez A. Targeting plasmid-encoded proteins that contain immunoglobulin-like domains to combat antimicrobial resistance. eLife 2024; 13:RP95328. [PMID: 39046772 PMCID: PMC11268884 DOI: 10.7554/elife.95328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to human health. Although vaccines have been developed to combat AMR, it has proven challenging to associate specific vaccine antigens with AMR. Bacterial plasmids play a crucial role in the transmission of AMR. Our recent research has identified a group of bacterial plasmids (specifically, IncHI plasmids) that encode large molecular mass proteins containing bacterial immunoglobulin-like domains. These proteins are found on the external surface of the bacterial cells, such as in the flagella or conjugative pili. In this study, we show that these proteins are antigenic and can protect mice from infection caused by an AMR Salmonella strain harboring one of these plasmids. Furthermore, we successfully generated nanobodies targeting these proteins, that were shown to interfere with the conjugative transfer of IncHI plasmids. Considering that these proteins are also encoded in other groups of plasmids, such as IncA/C and IncP2, targeting them could be a valuable strategy in combating AMR infections caused by bacteria harboring different groups of AMR plasmids. Since the selected antigens are directly linked to AMR itself, the protective effect extends beyond specific microorganisms to include all those carrying the corresponding resistance plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Prieto
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Luïsa Miró
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut de Nutrició i Seguretat Alimentària, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Yago Margolles
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Manuel Bernabeu
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - David Salguero
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Susana Merino
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Joan Tomas
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Juan Alberto Corbera
- Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Campus Universitario de ArucasLas PalmasSpain
| | - Anna Perez-Bosque
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut de Nutrició i Seguretat Alimentària, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Mario Huttener
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Luis Ángel Fernández
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Antonio Juarez
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
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3
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Chen YC, Destouches L, Cook A, Fedorec AJH. Synthetic microbial ecology: engineering habitats for modular consortia. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae158. [PMID: 38936824 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Microbiomes, the complex networks of micro-organisms and the molecules through which they interact, play a crucial role in health and ecology. Over at least the past two decades, engineering biology has made significant progress, impacting the bio-based industry, health, and environmental sectors; but has only recently begun to explore the engineering of microbial ecosystems. The creation of synthetic microbial communities presents opportunities to help us understand the dynamics of wild ecosystems, learn how to manipulate and interact with existing microbiomes for therapeutic and other purposes, and to create entirely new microbial communities capable of undertaking tasks for industrial biology. Here, we describe how synthetic ecosystems can be constructed and controlled, focusing on how the available methods and interaction mechanisms facilitate the regulation of community composition and output. While experimental decisions are dictated by intended applications, the vast number of tools available suggests great opportunity for researchers to develop a diverse array of novel microbial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Casey Chen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Louie Destouches
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alice Cook
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alex J H Fedorec
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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4
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Baba H, Fujita T, Mizuno K, Tambo M, Toda S. Programming Spatial Cell Sorting by Engineering Cadherin Intracellular Activity. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1705-1715. [PMID: 38726686 PMCID: PMC11197096 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The spatial sorting of cells into appropriate tissue compartments is essential for embryogenesis and tissue development. Spatial cell sorting is controlled by the interplay between cell surface affinity and intracellular mechanical properties. However, intracellular signaling that can sufficiently sort cell populations remains unexplored. In this study, we engineered chimeric cadherins by replacing the cadherin intracellular domain with cytoskeletal regulators to test their ability to induce spatial cell sorting. Using a fibroblast-based reconstitution system, we observed that Rac1 and RhoA activity in the cadherin tail induced outward and inward sorting, respectively. In particular, RhoA activity embedded cells toward the inside of E-cadherin-expressing spheroids and tumor spheroids, leading to tissue invagination. Despite the simplicity of chimeric cadherin design, our results indicate that differences in cadherin intracellular activities can determine the direction of spatial cell sorting, even when cell surface affinity is not different, and provide new molecular tools to engineer tissue architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikari Baba
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Fujita
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Graduate
School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Kosuke Mizuno
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
- Graduate
School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Mai Tambo
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Satoshi Toda
- WPI
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa
University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
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5
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Wu J, Fu J. Toward developing human organs via embryo models and chimeras. Cell 2024; 187:3194-3219. [PMID: 38906095 PMCID: PMC11239105 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Developing functional organs from stem cells remains a challenging goal in regenerative medicine. Existing methodologies, such as tissue engineering, bioprinting, and organoids, only offer partial solutions. This perspective focuses on two promising approaches emerging for engineering human organs from stem cells: stem cell-based embryo models and interspecies organogenesis. Both approaches exploit the premise of guiding stem cells to mimic natural development. We begin by summarizing what is known about early human development as a blueprint for recapitulating organogenesis in both embryo models and interspecies chimeras. The latest advances in both fields are discussed before highlighting the technological and knowledge gaps to be addressed before the goal of developing human organs could be achieved using the two approaches. We conclude by discussing challenges facing embryo modeling and interspecies organogenesis and outlining future prospects for advancing both fields toward the generation of human tissues and organs for basic research and translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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6
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Puri D, Allison KR. Escherichia coli self-organizes developmental rosettes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2315850121. [PMID: 38814871 PMCID: PMC11161754 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315850121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Rosettes are self-organizing, circular multicellular communities that initiate developmental processes, like organogenesis and embryogenesis, in complex organisms. Their formation results from the active repositioning of adhered sister cells and is thought to distinguish multicellular organisms from unicellular ones. Though common in eukaryotes, this multicellular behavior has not been reported in bacteria. In this study, we found that Escherichia coli forms rosettes by active sister-cell repositioning. After division, sister cells "fold" to actively align at the 2- and 4-cell stages of clonal division, thereby producing rosettes with characteristic quatrefoil configuration. Analysis revealed that folding follows an angular random walk, composed of ~1 µm strokes and directional randomization. We further showed that this motion was produced by the flagellum, the extracellular tail whose rotation generates swimming motility. Rosette formation was found to require de novo flagella synthesis suggesting it must balance the opposing forces of Ag43 adhesion and flagellar propulsion. We went on to show that proper rosette formation was required for subsequent morphogenesis of multicellular chains, rpoS gene expression, and formation of hydrostatic clonal-chain biofilms. Moreover, we found self-folding rosette-like communities in the standard motility assay, indicating that this behavior may be a general response to hydrostatic environments in E. coli. These findings establish self-organization of clonal rosettes by a prokaryote and have implications for evolutionary biology, synthetic biology, and medical microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devina Puri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Kyle R. Allison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA30322
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
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7
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Quispe Haro JJ, Chen F, Los R, Shi S, Sun W, Chen Y, Idema T, Wegner SV. Optogenetic Control of Bacterial Cell-Cell Adhesion Dynamics: Unraveling the Influence on Biofilm Architecture and Functionality. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2310079. [PMID: 38613837 PMCID: PMC11187914 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202310079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The transition of bacteria from an individualistic to a biofilm lifestyle profoundly alters their biology. During biofilm development, the bacterial cell-cell adhesions are a major determinant of initial microcolonies, which serve as kernels for the subsequent microscopic and mesoscopic structure of the biofilm, and determine the resulting functionality. In this study, the significance of bacterial cell-cell adhesion dynamics on bacterial aggregation and biofilm maturation is elucidated. Using photoswitchable adhesins between bacteria, modifying the dynamics of bacterial cell-cell adhesions with periodic dark-light cycles is systematic. Dynamic cell-cell adhesions with liquid-like behavior improve bacterial aggregation and produce more compact microcolonies than static adhesions with solid-like behavior in both experiments and individual-based simulations. Consequently, dynamic cell-cell adhesions give rise to earlier quorum sensing activation, better intermixing of different bacterial populations, improved biofilm maturation, changes in the growth of cocultures, and higher yields in fermentation. The here presented approach of tuning bacterial cell-cell adhesion dynamics opens the door for regulating the structure and function of biofilms and cocultures with potential biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan José Quispe Haro
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and PathobiochemistryUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Fei Chen
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and PathobiochemistryUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Rachel Los
- Department of BionanoscienceKavli Institute of NanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Shuqi Shi
- National Engineering Research Center for BiotechnologyCollege of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical EngineeringNanjing Tech UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Materials‐Oriented Chemical EngineeringCollege of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical EngineeringNanjing Tech UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Wenjun Sun
- National Engineering Research Center for BiotechnologyCollege of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical EngineeringNanjing Tech UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Materials‐Oriented Chemical EngineeringCollege of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical EngineeringNanjing Tech UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yong Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for BiotechnologyCollege of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical EngineeringNanjing Tech UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Materials‐Oriented Chemical EngineeringCollege of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical EngineeringNanjing Tech UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Timon Idema
- Department of BionanoscienceKavli Institute of NanoscienceDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Seraphine V. Wegner
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and PathobiochemistryUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
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8
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Yun L, Sakkos JK, Ducat DC. Population-level heterogeneity complicates utilization of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 surface display platforms. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024:10.17912/micropub.biology.001097. [PMID: 38633869 PMCID: PMC11022076 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Surface display technologies have been primarily developed for heterotrophic microbes, leaving photosynthetic counterparts like cyanobacteria with limited molecular tools. Here, we expanded upon surface display systems in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 by modifying two outer-membrane proteins, SomA and Intimin, to display tags ( e.g. , SpyTag) to mediate physical interactions of living cyanobacteria with other biotic and abiotic targets. While re-engineered SomA constructs successfully translocated to the cell surface and could bind to compatible ligands, the efficacy of the best-performing designs was limited by a poorly-understood heterogeneity in the accessibility of the tags in living cells, resulting in low attachment penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Yun
- DOE-MSU Plant Research Laboratories, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Jonathan K Sakkos
- DOE-MSU Plant Research Laboratories, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
| | - Daniel C Ducat
- DOE-MSU Plant Research Laboratories, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
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9
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Chao G, Zukin S, Fortuna PRJ, Boettner B, Church GM. Progress and limitations in engineering cellular adhesion for research and therapeutics. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:277-287. [PMID: 37580241 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.07.007] [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] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular interactions form the cornerstone of multicellular biology. Despite advances in protein engineering, researchers artificially directing physical cell interactions still rely on endogenous cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) alongside off-target interactions and unintended signaling. Recently, methods for directing cellular interactions have been developed utilizing programmable domains such as coiled coils (CCs), nanobody-antigen, and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). We first discuss desirable molecular- and systems-level properties in engineered CAMs, using the helixCAM platform as a benchmark. Next, we propose applications for engineered CAMs in immunology, developmental biology, tissue engineering, and neuroscience. Biologists in various fields can readily adapt current engineered CAMs to establish control over cell interactions, and their utilization in basic and translational research will incentivize further expansion in engineered CAM capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Chao
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Stefan Zukin
- Wyss Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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10
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Mao Y, Wang S, Yu J, Li W. Engineering pluripotent stem cells with synthetic biology for regenerative medicine. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2024; 4:90-109. [PMID: 38680679 PMCID: PMC11046572 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2023-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), characterized by self-renewal and capacity of differentiating into three germ layers, are the programmable building blocks of life. PSC-derived cells and multicellular systems, particularly organoids, exhibit great potential for regenerative medicine. However, this field is still in its infancy, partly due to limited strategies to robustly and precisely control stem cell behaviors, which are tightly regulated by inner gene regulatory networks in response to stimuli from the extracellular environment. Synthetic receptors and genetic circuits are powerful tools to customize the cellular sense-and-response process, suggesting their underlying roles in precise control of cell fate decision and function reconstruction. Herein, we review the progress and challenges needed to be overcome in the fields of PSC-based cell therapy and multicellular system generation, respectively. Furthermore, we summarize several well-established synthetic biology tools and their applications in PSC engineering. Finally, we highlight the challenges and perspectives of harnessing synthetic biology to PSC engineering for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihuan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiazhen Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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11
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Zeng M, Sarker B, Rondthaler SN, Vu V, Andrews LB. Identifying LasR Quorum Sensors with Improved Signal Specificity by Mapping the Sequence-Function Landscape. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:568-589. [PMID: 38206199 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00543] [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: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Programmable intercellular signaling using components of naturally occurring quorum sensing can allow for coordinated functions to be engineered in microbial consortia. LuxR-type transcriptional regulators are widely used for this purpose and are activated by homoserine lactone (HSL) signals. However, they often suffer from imperfect molecular discrimination of structurally similar HSLs, causing misregulation within engineered consortia containing multiple HSL signals. Here, we studied one such example, the regulator LasR from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We elucidated its sequence-function relationship for ligand specificity using targeted protein engineering and multiplexed high-throughput biosensor screening. A pooled combinatorial saturation mutagenesis library (9,486 LasR DNA sequences) was created by mutating six residues in LasR's β5 sheet with single, double, or triple amino acid substitutions. Sort-seq assays were performed in parallel using cognate and noncognate HSLs to quantify each corresponding sensor's response to each HSL signal, which identified hundreds of highly specific variants. Sensor variants identified were individually assayed and exhibited up to 60.6-fold (p = 0.0013) improved relative activation by the cognate signal compared to the wildtype. Interestingly, we uncovered prevalent mutational epistasis and previously unidentified residues contributing to signal specificity. The resulting sensors with negligible signal crosstalk could be broadly applied to engineer bacteria consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zeng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Biprodev Sarker
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Stephen N Rondthaler
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Vanessa Vu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Lauren B Andrews
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Biotechnology Training Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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12
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Glass DS, Bren A, Vaisbourd E, Mayo A, Alon U. A synthetic differentiation circuit in Escherichia coli for suppressing mutant takeover. Cell 2024; 187:931-944.e12. [PMID: 38320549 PMCID: PMC10882425 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.024] [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] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Differentiation is crucial for multicellularity. However, it is inherently susceptible to mutant cells that fail to differentiate. These mutants outcompete normal cells by excessive self-renewal. It remains unclear what mechanisms can resist such mutant expansion. Here, we demonstrate a solution by engineering a synthetic differentiation circuit in Escherichia coli that selects against these mutants via a biphasic fitness strategy. The circuit provides tunable production of synthetic analogs of stem, progenitor, and differentiated cells. It resists mutations by coupling differentiation to the production of an essential enzyme, thereby disadvantaging non-differentiating mutants. The circuit selected for and maintained a positive differentiation rate in long-term evolution. Surprisingly, this rate remained constant across vast changes in growth conditions. We found that transit-amplifying cells (fast-growing progenitors) underlie this environmental robustness. Our results provide insight into the stability of differentiation and demonstrate a powerful method for engineering evolutionarily stable multicellular consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Glass
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Anat Bren
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Elizabeth Vaisbourd
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Avi Mayo
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Uri Alon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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13
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Li J, Luo C, Cai X, Zhang D, Guan G, Li B, Zhang G. Microbial consortium assembly and functional analysis via isotope labelling and single-cell manipulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degraders. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae115. [PMID: 38913500 PMCID: PMC11256997 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Soil microbial flora constitutes a highly diverse and complex microbiome on Earth, often challenging to cultivation, with unclear metabolic mechanisms in situ. Here, we present a pioneering concept for the in situ construction of functional microbial consortia (FMCs) and introduce an innovative method for creating FMCs by utilizing phenanthrene as a model compound to elucidate their in situ biodegradation mechanisms. Our methodology involves single-cell identification, sorting, and culture of functional microorganisms, resulting in the formation of a precise in situ FMC. Through Raman-activated cell sorting-stable-isotope probing, we identified and isolated phenanthrene-degrading bacterial cells from Achromobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp., achieving precise and controllable in situ consortia based on genome-guided cultivation. Our in situ FMC outperformed conventionally designed functional flora when tested in real soil, indicating its superior phenanthrene degradation capacity. We revealed that microorganisms with high degradation efficiency isolated through conventional methods may exhibit pollutant tolerance but lack actual degradation ability in natural environments. This finding highlights the potential to construct FMCs based on thorough elucidation of in situ functional degraders, thereby achieving sustained and efficient pollutant degradation. Single-cell sequencing linked degraders with their genes and metabolic pathways, providing insights regarding the construction of in situ FMCs. The consortium in situ comprising microorganisms with diverse phenanthrene metabolic pathways might offer distinct advantages for enhancing phenanthrene degradation efficiency, such as the division of labour and cooperation or communication among microbial species. Our approach underscores the importance of in situ, single-cell precision identification, isolation, and cultivation for comprehensive bacterial functional analysis and resource exploration, which can extend to investigate MFCs in archaea and fungi, clarifying FMC construction methods for element recycling and pollutant transformation in complex real-world ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Chunling Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Xixi Cai
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plant Germplasm Innovation and Utilization, Environmental Horticulture Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Dayi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Guoqing Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Bei Li
- State Key Lab of Applied Optics, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
- Jilin Province Raman Technology Engineering Research Center, HOOKE Instruments Ltd., Changchun 130033, China
| | - Gan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
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14
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Li YG, Kishida K, Ogawa-Kishida N, Christie PJ. Ligand-displaying Escherichia coli cells and minicells for programmable delivery of toxic payloads via type IV secretion systems. mBio 2023; 14:e0214323. [PMID: 37772866 PMCID: PMC10653926 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02143-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The rapid emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and current low rate of antibiotic discovery emphasize the urgent need for alternative antibacterial strategies. We engineered Escherichia coli to conjugatively transfer plasmids to specific E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa recipient cells through the surface display of cognate nanobody/antigen (Nb/Ag) pairs. We further engineered mobilizable plasmids to carry CRISPR/Cas9 systems (pCrispr) for the selective killing of recipient cells harboring CRISPR/Cas9 target sequences. In the assembled programmed delivery system (PDS), Nb-displaying E. coli donors with different conjugation systems and mobilizable pCrispr plasmids suppressed the growth of Ag-displaying recipient cells to significantly greater extents than unpaired recipients. We also showed that anucleate minicells armed with conjugation machines and pCrispr plasmids were highly effective in killing E. coli recipients. Together, our findings suggest that bacteria or minicells armed with PDSs may prove highly effective as an adjunct or alternative to antibiotics for antimicrobial intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Grace Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kouhei Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Natsumi Ogawa-Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Peter J. Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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15
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Martínez-Calvo A, Trenado-Yuste C, Lee H, Gore J, Wingreen NS, Datta SS. Interfacial morphodynamics of proliferating microbial communities. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.23.563665. [PMID: 37961366 PMCID: PMC10634769 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.23.563665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
In microbial communities, various cell types often coexist by occupying distinct spatial domains. What determines the shape of the interface between such domains-which in turn influences the interactions between cells and overall community function? Here, we address this question by developing a continuum model of a 2D spatially-structured microbial community with two distinct cell types. We find that, depending on the balance of the different cell proliferation rates and substrate friction coefficients, the interface between domains is either stable and smooth, or unstable and develops finger-like protrusions. We establish quantitative principles describing when these different interfacial behaviors arise, and find good agreement both with the results of previous experimental reports as well as new experiments performed here. Our work thus helps to provide a biophysical basis for understanding the interfacial morphodynamics of proliferating microbial communities, as well as a broader range of proliferating active systems.
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16
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Li YG, Kishida K, Ogawa-Kishida N, Christie PJ. Ligand-Displaying E. coli Cells and Minicells for Programmable Delivery of Toxic Payloads via Type IV Secretion Systems. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.11.553016. [PMID: 37609324 PMCID: PMC10441419 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.11.553016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are highly versatile macromolecular translocators and offer great potential for deployment as delivery systems for therapeutic intervention. One major T4SS subfamily, the conjugation machines, are well-adapted for delivery of DNA cargoes of interest to other bacteria or eukaryotic cells, but generally exhibit modest transfer frequencies and lack specificity for target cells. Here, we tested the efficacy of a surface-displayed nanobody/antigen (Nb/Ag) pairing system to enhance the conjugative transfer of IncN (pKM101), IncF (F/pOX38), or IncP (RP4) plasmids, or of mobilizable plasmids including those encoding CRISPR/Cas9 systems (pCrispr), to targeted recipient cells. Escherichia coli donors displaying Nb's transferred plasmids to E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa recipients displaying the cognate Ag's at significantly higher frequencies than to recipients lacking Ag's. Nb/Ag pairing functionally substituted for the surface adhesin activities of F-encoded TraN and pKM101-encoded Pep, although not conjugative pili or VirB5-like adhesins. Nb/Ag pairing further elevated the killing effects accompanying delivery of pCrispr plasmids to E. coli and P. aeruginosa transconjugants bearing CRISPR/Cas9 target sequences. Finally, we determined that anucleate E. coli minicells, which are clinically safer delivery vectors than intact cells, transferred self-transmissible and mobilizable plasmids to E. coli and P. aeruginosa cells. Minicell-mediated mobilization of pCrispr plasmids to E. coli recipients elicited significant killing of transconjugants, although Nb/Ag pairing did not enhance conjugation frequencies or killing. Together, our findings establish the potential for deployment of bacteria or minicells as Programmed Delivery Systems (PDSs) for suppression of targeted bacterial species in infection settings. IMPORTANCE The rapid emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and current low rate of antibiotic discovery emphasize an urgent need for alternative antibacterial strategies. We engineered Escherichia coli to conjugatively transfer plasmids to specific E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa recipient cells through surface display of cognate nanobody/antigen (Nb/Ag) pairs. We further engineered mobilizable plasmids to carry CRISPR/Cas9 systems (pCrispr) for selective killing of recipient cells harboring CRISPR/Cas9 target sequences. In the assembled Programmed Delivery System (PDS), Nb-displaying E. coli donors with different conjugation systems and mobilizable pCrispr plasmids suppressed growth of Ag-displaying recipient cells to significantly greater extents than unpaired recipients. We also showed that anucleate minicells armed with conjugation machines and pCrispr plasmids were highly effective in killing of E. coli recipients. Together, our findings suggest that bacteria or minicells armed with PDSs may prove highly effective as an adjunct or alternative to antibiotics for antimicrobial intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Grace Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Kouhei Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030
- Current address: Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
| | - Natsumi Ogawa-Kishida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030
- Current address: Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
| | - Peter J. Christie
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Fannin St, Houston, Texas 77030
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17
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Gasse C, Srivastava P, Schepers G, Jose J, Hollenstein M, Marlière P, Herdewijn P. Controlled E. coli Aggregation Mediated by DNA and XNA Hybridization. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300191. [PMID: 37119472 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Chemical cell surface modification is a fast-growing field of research, due to its enormous potential in tissue engineering, cell-based immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. However, engineering of bacterial tissues by chemical cell surface modification has been vastly underexplored and the identification of suitable molecular handles is in dire need. We present here, an orthogonal nucleic acid-protein conjugation strategy to promote artificial bacterial aggregation. This system gathers the high selectivity and stability of linkage to a protein Tag expressed at the cell surface and the modularity and reversibility of aggregation due to oligonucleotide hybridization. For the first time, XNA (xeno nucleic acids in the form of 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleic acids) were immobilized via covalent, SNAP-tag-mediated interactions on cell surfaces to induce bacterial aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Gasse
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 2 Rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Puneet Srivastava
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Biomedical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Schepers
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Biomedical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joachim Jose
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, D-48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Marcel Hollenstein
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, CNRS UMR3523, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Philippe Marlière
- The European Syndicate of Synthetic Scientists and Industrialists (TESSSI), 81 rue Réaumur, 75002, Paris, France
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Biomedical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Chekli Y, Stevick RJ, Kornobis E, Briolat V, Ghigo JM, Beloin C. Escherichia coli Aggregates Mediated by Native or Synthetic Adhesins Exhibit Both Core and Adhesin-Specific Transcriptional Responses. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0069023. [PMID: 37039668 PMCID: PMC10269875 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00690-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria can rapidly tune their physiology and metabolism to adapt to environmental fluctuations. In particular, they can adapt their lifestyle to the close proximity of other bacteria or the presence of different surfaces. However, whether these interactions trigger transcriptomic responses is poorly understood. We used a specific setup of E. coli strains expressing native or synthetic adhesins mediating bacterial aggregation to study the transcriptomic changes of aggregated compared to nonaggregated bacteria. Our results show that, following aggregation, bacteria exhibit a core response independent of the adhesin type, with differential expression of 56.9% of the coding genome, including genes involved in stress response and anaerobic lifestyle. Moreover, when aggregates were formed via a naturally expressed E. coli adhesin (antigen 43), the transcriptomic response of the bacteria was more exaggerated than that of aggregates formed via a synthetic adhesin. This suggests that the response to aggregation induced by native E. coli adhesins could have been finely tuned during bacterial evolution. Our study therefore provides insights into the effect of self-interaction in bacteria and allows a better understanding of why bacterial aggregates exhibit increased stress tolerance. IMPORTANCE The formation of bacterial aggregates has an important role in both clinical and ecological contexts. Although these structures have been previously shown to be more resistant to stressful conditions, the genetic basis of this stress tolerance associated with the aggregate lifestyle is poorly understood. Surface sensing mediated by different adhesins can result in various changes in bacterial physiology. However, whether adhesin-adhesin interactions, as well as the type of adhesin mediating aggregation, affect bacterial cell physiology is unknown. By sequencing the transcriptomes of aggregated and nonaggregated cells expressing native or synthetic adhesins, we characterized the effects of aggregation and adhesin type on E. coli physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yankel Chekli
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Genetics of Biofilms Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Rebecca J. Stevick
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Genetics of Biofilms Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Etienne Kornobis
- Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique-Département Biologie Computationnelle, Institut Pasteur, USR 3756 CNRS, Paris, France
- Plate-forme Technologique Biomics—Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Briolat
- Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique-Département Biologie Computationnelle, Institut Pasteur, USR 3756 CNRS, Paris, France
- Plate-forme Technologique Biomics—Centre de Ressources et Recherches Technologiques, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Marc Ghigo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Genetics of Biofilms Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Beloin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Genetics of Biofilms Laboratory, Paris, France
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19
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Hartmann J, Mayor R. Self-organized collective cell behaviors as design principles for synthetic developmental biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:63-73. [PMID: 35450765 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, molecular cell biology has graduated from a mostly analytic science to one with substantial synthetic capability. This success is built on a deep understanding of the structure and function of biomolecules and molecular mechanisms. For synthetic biology to achieve similar success at the scale of tissues and organs, an equally deep understanding of the principles of development is required. Here, we review some of the central concepts and recent progress in tissue patterning, morphogenesis and collective cell migration and discuss their value for synthetic developmental biology, emphasizing in particular the power of (guided) self-organization and the role of theoretical advances in making developmental insights applicable in synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Hartmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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20
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Troiano DT, Hofmann T, Brethauer S, Studer MHP. Toward optimal use of biomass as carbon source for chemical bioproduction. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 81:102942. [PMID: 37062153 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Biomass is widely identified as a promising, renewable replacement for fossil feedstocks in the production of energy, fuels, and chemicals. However, the sustainable supply of biomass is limited. Economic and ecological criteria support prioritization of biomass as a carbon source for organic chemicals; however, utilization for energy currently dominates. Therefore, to optimize the use of available biomass feedstock, biorefining development must focus on high carbon efficiencies and enabling the conversion of all biomass fractions, including lignin and fermentation-derived CO2. Additionally, novel technological platforms should allow the incorporation of nontraditional, currently underutilized carbon feedstocks (e.g. manure) into biorefining processes. To this end, funneling of waste feedstocks to a single product (e.g. methane) and subsequent conversion to chemicals is a promising approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek T Troiano
- School of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, Bern University of Applied Sciences, CH-3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Hofmann
- School of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, Bern University of Applied Sciences, CH-3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
| | - Simone Brethauer
- School of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, Bern University of Applied Sciences, CH-3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
| | - Michael H-P Studer
- School of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, Bern University of Applied Sciences, CH-3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland.
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21
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Ge J, Li D, Ding J, Xiao X, Liang Y. Microbial coexistence in the rhizosphere and the promotion of plant stress resistance: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 222:115298. [PMID: 36642122 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plants can recruit soil microorganisms into the rhizosphere when experiencing various environmental stresses, including biotic (e.g., insect pests) and abiotic (e.g., heavy metal pollution, droughts, floods, and salinity) stresses. However, species coexistence in plant resistance has not received sufficient attention. Current research on microbial coexistence is only at the community scale, and there is a limited understanding of the interaction patterns between species, especially microbe‒microbe interactions. The relevant interaction patterns are limited to a few model strains. The coexisting microbial communities form a stable system involving complex nutritional competition, metabolic exchange, and even interdependent interactions. This pattern of coexistence can ultimately enhance plant stress tolerance. Hence, a systematic understanding of the coexistence pattern of rhizosphere microorganisms under stress is essential for the precise development and utilization of synthetic microbial communities and the achievement of efficient ecological control. Here, we integrated current analytical methods and introduced several new experimental methods to elucidate rhizosphere microbial coexistence patterns. Some advancements (e.g., network analysis, coculture experiments, and synthetic communities) that can be applied to plant stress resistance are also updated. This review aims to summarize the key role and potential application prospects of microbial coexistence in the resistance of plants to environmental stresses. Our suggestions, enhancing plant resistance with coexisting microbes, would allow us to gain further knowledge on plant-microbial and microbial-microbial functions, and facilitate translation to more effective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Ge
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China; State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Jixian Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xian Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China.
| | - Yuting Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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22
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An B, Wang Y, Huang Y, Wang X, Liu Y, Xun D, Church GM, Dai Z, Yi X, Tang TC, Zhong C. Engineered Living Materials For Sustainability. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2349-2419. [PMID: 36512650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in synthetic biology and materials science have given rise to a new form of materials, namely engineered living materials (ELMs), which are composed of living matter or cell communities embedded in self-regenerating matrices of their own or artificial scaffolds. Like natural materials such as bone, wood, and skin, ELMs, which possess the functional capabilities of living organisms, can grow, self-organize, and self-repair when needed. They also spontaneously perform programmed biological functions upon sensing external cues. Currently, ELMs show promise for green energy production, bioremediation, disease treatment, and fabricating advanced smart materials. This review first introduces the dynamic features of natural living systems and their potential for developing novel materials. We then summarize the recent research progress on living materials and emerging design strategies from both synthetic biology and materials science perspectives. Finally, we discuss the positive impacts of living materials on promoting sustainability and key future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin An
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yanyi Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuzhu Liu
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongmin Xun
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - George M Church
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States
| | - Zhuojun Dai
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiao Yi
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tzu-Chieh Tang
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States
| | - Chao Zhong
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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23
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Luo J, Chen J, Huang Y, You L, Dai Z. Engineering living materials by synthetic biology. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011305. [PMID: 38505813 PMCID: PMC10903423 DOI: 10.1063/5.0115645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Natural biological materials are programmed by genetic information and able to self-organize, respond to environmental stimulus, and couple with inorganic matter. Inspired by the natural system and to mimic their complex and delicate fabrication process and functions, the field of engineered living materials emerges at the interface of synthetic biology and materials science. Here, we review the recent efforts and discuss the challenges and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiren Luo
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiangfeng Chen
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yaoge Huang
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lingchong You
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708, USA
| | - Zhuojun Dai
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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24
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Gangan MS, Naughton KL, Boedicker JQ. Utilizing a divalent metal ion transporter to control biogenic nanoparticle synthesis. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 50:kuad020. [PMID: 37587013 PMCID: PMC10481092 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuad020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Biogenic synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials has been demonstrated for both wild and engineered bacterial strains. In many systems the nucleation and growth of nanomaterials is poorly controlled and requires concentrations of heavy metals toxic to living cells. Here, we utilized the tools of synthetic biology to engineer a strain of Escherichia coli capable of synthesizing cadmium sulfide nanoparticles from low concentrations of reactants with control over the location of synthesis. Informed by simulations of bacterially-assisted nanoparticle synthesis, we created a strain of E. coli expressing a broad-spectrum divalent metal transporter, ZupT, and a synthetic CdS nucleating peptide. Expression of ZupT in the outer membrane and placement of the nucleating peptide in the periplasm focused synthesis within the periplasmic space and enabled sufficient nucleation and growth of nanoparticles at sub-toxic levels of the reactants. This strain synthesized internal CdS quantum dot nanoparticles with spherical morphology and an average diameter of approximately 3.3 nm. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY Expression of a metal ion transporter regulates synthesis of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Subhash Gangan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kyle L Naughton
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - James Q Boedicker
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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25
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Lei M, Trivedi VD, Nair NU, Lee K, Van Deventer JA. Flow cytometric evaluation of yeast-bacterial cell-cell interactions. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:399-408. [PMID: 36259110 PMCID: PMC10072783 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cell-cell interaction systems can be useful for understanding multicellular communities or for screening binding molecules. We adapt a previously characterized set of synthetic cognate nanobody-antigen pairs to a yeast-bacteria coincubation format and use flow cytometry to evaluate cell-cell interactions mediated by binding between surface-displayed molecules. We further use fluorescence-activated cell sorting to enrich a specific yeast-displayed nanobody within a mixed yeast-display population. Finally, we demonstrate that this system supports the characterization of a therapeutically relevant nanobody-antigen interaction: a previously discovered nanobody that binds to the intimin protein expressed on the surface of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Overall, our findings indicate that the yeast-bacteria format supports efficient evaluation of ligand-target interactions. With further development, this format may facilitate systematic characterization and high-throughput discovery of bacterial surface-binding molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lei
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155
| | - Vikas D. Trivedi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155
| | - Nikhil U. Nair
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155
| | - Kyongbum Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155
| | - James A. Van Deventer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155
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26
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Trentesaux C, Yamada T, Klein OD, Lim WA. Harnessing synthetic biology to engineer organoids and tissues. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:10-19. [PMID: 36608674 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of an organism depends on intrinsic genetic programs of progenitor cells and their spatiotemporally complex extrinsic environment. Ex vivo generation of organoids from progenitor cells provides a platform for recapitulating and exploring development. Current approaches rely largely on soluble morphogens or engineered biomaterials to manipulate the physical environment, but the emerging field of synthetic biology provides a powerful toolbox to genetically manipulate cell communication, adhesion, and even cell fate. Applying these modular tools to organoids should lead to a deeper understanding of developmental principles, improved organoid models, and an enhanced capability to design tissues for regenerative purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Trentesaux
- Department of Orofacial Sciences and Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Toshimichi Yamada
- Cell Design Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ophir D Klein
- Department of Orofacial Sciences and Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
| | - Wendell A Lim
- Cell Design Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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27
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Programming multicellular assembly with synthetic cell adhesion molecules. Nature 2023; 614:144-152. [PMID: 36509107 PMCID: PMC9892004 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05622-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cell adhesion molecules are ubiquitous in multicellular organisms, specifying precise cell-cell interactions in processes as diverse as tissue development, immune cell trafficking and the wiring of the nervous system1-4. Here we show that a wide array of synthetic cell adhesion molecules can be generated by combining orthogonal extracellular interactions with intracellular domains from native adhesion molecules, such as cadherins and integrins. The resulting molecules yield customized cell-cell interactions with adhesion properties that are similar to native interactions. The identity of the intracellular domain of the synthetic cell adhesion molecules specifies interface morphology and mechanics, whereas diverse homotypic or heterotypic extracellular interaction domains independently specify the connectivity between cells. This toolkit of orthogonal adhesion molecules enables the rationally programmed assembly of multicellular architectures, as well as systematic remodelling of native tissues. The modularity of synthetic cell adhesion molecules provides fundamental insights into how distinct classes of cell-cell interfaces may have evolved. Overall, these tools offer powerful abilities for cell and tissue engineering and for systematically studying multicellular organization.
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28
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Engineering Ag43 Signal Peptides with Bacterial Display and Selection. Methods Protoc 2022; 6:mps6010001. [PMID: 36648950 PMCID: PMC9844295 DOI: 10.3390/mps6010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein display, secretion, and export in prokaryotes are essential for utilizing microbial systems as engineered living materials, medicines, biocatalysts, and protein factories. To select for improved signal peptides for Escherichia coli protein display, we utilized error-prone polymerase chain reaction (epPCR) coupled with single-cell sorting and microplate titer to generate, select, and detect improved Ag43 signal peptides. Through just three rounds of mutagenesis and selection using green fluorescence from the 56 kDa sfGFP-beta-lactamase, we isolated clones that modestly increased surface display from 1.4- to 3-fold as detected by the microplate plate-reader and native SDS-PAGE assays. To establish that the functional protein was displayed extracellularly, we trypsinized the bacterial cells to release the surface displayed proteins for analysis. This workflow demonstrated a fast and high-throughput method leveraging epPCR and single-cell sorting to augment bacterial surface display rapidly that could be applied to other bacterial proteins.
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29
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A change of phase. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 19:397-398. [PMID: 36522464 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01209-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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30
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De novo engineering of a bacterial lifestyle program. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 19:488-497. [PMID: 36522463 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01194-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has shown remarkable potential to program living microorganisms for applications. However, a notable discrepancy exists between the current engineering practice-which focuses predominantly on planktonic cells-and the ubiquitous observation of microbes in nature that constantly alternate their lifestyles on environmental variations. Here we present the de novo construction of a synthetic genetic program that regulates bacterial life cycle and enables phase-specific gene expression. The program is orthogonal, harnessing an engineered protein from 45 candidates as the biofilm matrix building block. It is also highly controllable, allowing directed biofilm assembly and decomposition as well as responsive autonomous planktonic-biofilm phase transition. Coupling to synthesis modules, it is further programmable for various functional realizations that conjugate phase-specific biomolecular production with lifestyle alteration. This work establishes a versatile platform for microbial engineering across physiological regimes, thereby shedding light on a promising path for gene circuit applications in complex contexts.
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31
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Godin R, Karamched BR, Ryan SD. The space between us: Modeling spatial heterogeneity in synthetic microbial consortia dynamics. BIOPHYSICAL REPORTS 2022; 2:100085. [PMID: 36479317 PMCID: PMC9720408 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpr.2022.100085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A central endeavor in bioengineering concerns the construction of multistrain microbial consortia with desired properties. Typically, a gene network is partitioned between strains, and strains communicate via quorum sensing, allowing for complex behaviors. Yet a fundamental question of how emergent spatiotemporal patterning in multistrain microbial consortia affects consortial dynamics is not understood well. Here, we propose a computationally tractable and straightforward modeling framework that explicitly allows linking spatiotemporal patterning to consortial dynamics. We validate our model against previously published results and make predictions of how spatial heterogeneity impacts interstrain communication. By enabling the investigation of spatial patterns effects on microbial dynamics, our modeling framework informs experimentalists, helps advance the understanding of complex microbial systems, and supports the development of applications involving them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Godin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
- Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Center for Applied Data Analysis and Modeling, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Bhargav R. Karamched
- Department of Mathematics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
- Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Shawn D. Ryan
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Center for Applied Data Analysis and Modeling, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
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32
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Robledo M, Álvarez B, Cuevas A, González S, Ruano-Gallego D, Fernández L, de la Cruz F. Targeted bacterial conjugation mediated by synthetic cell-to-cell adhesions. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:12938-12950. [PMID: 36511856 PMCID: PMC9825185 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic interventions on microbiomes, for clinical or biotechnological purposes, remain challenging. Conjugation-based delivery of genetic cargo is still unspecific and limited by low conjugation rates. Here we report an approach to overcome these problems, based on a synthetic bacterial adhesion system. Mating assemblers consist on a synthetic adhesion formed by the expression on the surface of donor and target cells of specific nanobodies (Nb) and their cognate antigen (Ag). The Nb-Ag bridge increased 1-3 logs transfer of a variety of plasmids, especially in liquid media, confirming that cell-cell docking is a main determinant limiting mating efficiency. Synthetic cell-to-cell adhesion allows efficient conjugation to targeted recipients, enhancing delivery of desired genes to a predefined subset of prey species, or even specific pathogenic strains such as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), within a bacterial community. The synthetic conjugation enhancer presented here optimizes plasmid delivery by selecting the target hosts with high selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Robledo
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Marta Robledo.
| | - Beatriz Álvarez
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Campus UAM Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Cuevas
- Intergenomics Group, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - Sheila González
- Intergenomics Group, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - David Ruano-Gallego
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Campus UAM Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Ángel Fernández
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Campus UAM Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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33
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Puri D, Fang X, Allison KR. Evidence of a possible multicellular life cycle in Escherichia coli. iScience 2022; 26:105795. [PMID: 36594031 PMCID: PMC9804144 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are surface-attached multicellular microbial communities. Their genetics have been extensively studied, but the cell-scale morphogenetic events of their formation are largely unknown. Here, we recorded the entirety of morphogenesis in Escherichia coli, and discovered a previously unknown multicellular self-assembly process. Unattached, single-cells formed 4-cell rosettes which grew into constant-width chains. After ∼10 cell generations, these multicellular chains attached to surfaces and stopped growing. Chains remained clonal throughout morphogenesis. We showed that this process generates biofilms, which we found are composed of attached clonal chains, aligned in parallel. We investigated genetics of chain morphogenesis: Ag43 facilitates rosette formation and clonality; type-1 fimbriae and curli promote stability and configuration; and extracellular polysaccharide production facilitates attachment. Our study establishes that E. coli, a unicellular organism, can follow a multistage, clonal, genetically-regulated, rosette-initiated multicellular life cycle. These findings have implications for synthetic biology, multicellular development, and the treatment and prevention of bacterial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devina Puri
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xin Fang
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kyle R. Allison
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Corresponding author
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Huang Y, Lin X, Yu S, Chen R, Chen W. Intestinal Engineered Probiotics as Living Therapeutics: Chassis Selection, Colonization Enhancement, Gene Circuit Design, and Biocontainment. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3134-3153. [PMID: 36094344 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal probiotics are often used for the in situ treatment of diseases, such as metabolic disorders, tumors, and chronic inflammatory infections. Recently, there has been an increased emphasis on intelligent, customized treatments with a focus on long-term efficacy; however, traditional probiotic therapy has not kept up with this trend. The use of synthetic biology to construct gut-engineered probiotics as live therapeutics is a promising avenue in the treatment of specific diseases, such as phenylketonuria and inflammatory bowel disease. These studies generally involve a series of fundamental design issues: choosing an engineered chassis, improving the colonization ability of engineered probiotics, designing functional gene circuits, and ensuring the safety of engineered probiotics. In this review, we summarize the relevant past research, the progress of current research, and discuss the key issues that restrict the widespread application of intestinal engineered probiotic living therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- Team SZU-China at iGEM 2021, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xiaojun Lin
- Team SZU-China at iGEM 2021, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Siyang Yu
- Team SZU-China at iGEM 2021, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ruiyue Chen
- Team SZU-China at iGEM 2021, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Weizhao Chen
- Team SZU-China at iGEM 2021, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Microbial Gene Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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35
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Calibrating spatiotemporal models of microbial communities to microscopy data: A review. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010533. [PMID: 36227846 PMCID: PMC9560168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatiotemporal models that account for heterogeneity within microbial communities rely on single-cell data for calibration and validation. Such data, commonly collected via microscopy and flow cytometry, have been made more accessible by recent advances in microfluidics platforms and data processing pipelines. However, validating models against such data poses significant challenges. Validation practices vary widely between modelling studies; systematic and rigorous methods have not been widely adopted. Similar challenges are faced by the (macrobial) ecology community, in which systematic calibration approaches are often employed to improve quantitative predictions from computational models. Here, we review single-cell observation techniques that are being applied to study microbial communities and the calibration strategies that are being employed for accompanying spatiotemporal models. To facilitate future calibration efforts, we have compiled a list of summary statistics relevant for quantifying spatiotemporal patterns in microbial communities. Finally, we highlight some recently developed techniques that hold promise for improved model calibration, including algorithmic guidance of summary statistic selection and machine learning approaches for efficient model simulation.
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36
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A de novo matrix for macroscopic living materials from bacteria. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5544. [PMID: 36130968 PMCID: PMC9492681 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33191-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered living materials (ELMs) embed living cells in a biopolymer matrix to create materials with tailored functions. While bottom-up assembly of macroscopic ELMs with a de novo matrix would offer the greatest control over material properties, we lack the ability to genetically encode a protein matrix that leads to collective self-organization. Here we report growth of ELMs from Caulobacter crescentus cells that display and secrete a self-interacting protein. This protein formed a de novo matrix and assembled cells into centimeter-scale ELMs. Discovery of design and assembly principles allowed us to tune the composition, mechanical properties, and catalytic function of these ELMs. This work provides genetic tools, design and assembly rules, and a platform for growing ELMs with control over both matrix and cellular structure and function. Engineered living materials (ELMs) embed living cells in a biopolymer matrix to create novel materials with tailored functions. In this work, the authors engineered bacteria to grow novel macroscopic materials that can be reshaped, functionalized, and used to filter contaminated water while also showing that the stiffness of these materials can be tuned through genetic changes.
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37
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Kong Y, Yuan F, Yang F, Zhang C, Xian Y. Cell-Membrane-Anchored Upconversion Nanoprobe for Near-Infrared Light Triggered Cell-Cell Interactions. Anal Chem 2022; 94:12024-12032. [PMID: 35994569 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Manipulating cell-cell interactions is of great significance in cell communication and cell-based therapies. Although efforts have been made to construct cell-cell assembly by stimuli-responsive host-guest interactions, controllable cell-cell interactions by near-infrared (NIR) light triggered reversible assembly remain a challenge. Herein, we develop a NIR-controlled system based on β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) modified upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for reversible and noninvasive manipulation of cell assembly and disassembly, which is realized by host-guest interactions between E/Z-photoisomerization of arylazopyrazole (AAP) and β-CD under the NIR irradiation. UCNPs can convert NIR to ultraviolet light, which leads to the transformation of AAP from the E-isomer to the Z-isomer. And it can be reverted back to the E-isomer under visible light irradiation. This reversible photoisomerization can modulate the host-guest interaction between β-CD and AAP, thus leading to reversible cell assembly and disassembly. Furthermore, by precise regulating cell-cell interactions by NIR light, cell-cell communication and molecular transportation can be realized. Given the diversity of host and guest molecules and the advantages of NIR light in biological applications, reversible cell-cell assembly has great potential for the regulation of cell behaviors and cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujing Kong
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Fang Yuan
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Cuiling Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yuezhong Xian
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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38
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de Lorenzo V. Environmental Galenics: large-scale fortification of extant microbiomes with engineered bioremediation agents. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210395. [PMID: 35757882 PMCID: PMC9234819 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Contemporary synthetic biology-based biotechnologies are generating tools and strategies for reprogramming genomes for specific purposes, including improvement and/or creation of microbial processes for tackling climate change. While such activities typically work well at a laboratory or bioreactor scale, the challenge of their extensive delivery to multiple spatio-temporal dimensions has hardly been tackled thus far. This state of affairs creates a research niche for what could be called Environmental Galenics (EG), i.e. the science and technology of releasing designed biological agents into deteriorated ecosystems for the sake of their safe and effective recovery. Such endeavour asks not just for an optimal performance of the biological activity at stake, but also the material form and formulation of the agents, their propagation and their interplay with the physico-chemical scenario where they are expected to perform. EG also encompasses adopting available physical carriers of microorganisms and channels of horizontal gene transfer as potential paths for spreading beneficial activities through environmental microbiomes. While some of these propositions may sound unsettling to anti-genetically modified organisms sensitivities, they may also fall under the tag of TINA (there is no alternative) technologies in the cases where a mere reduction of emissions will not help the revitalization of irreversibly lost ecosystems. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ecological complexity and the biosphere: the next 30 years’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
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39
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Fernández LÁ. Sticky logic programs bacteria to form multicellular patterns. Nature 2022; 608:267-268. [PMID: 35948705 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-02102-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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40
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Kim H, Skinner DJ, Glass DS, Hamby AE, Stuart BAR, Dunkel J, Riedel-Kruse IH. 4-bit adhesion logic enables universal multicellular interface patterning. Nature 2022; 608:324-329. [PMID: 35948712 PMCID: PMC9365691 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04944-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Multicellular systems, from bacterial biofilms to human organs, form interfaces (or boundaries) between different cell collectives to spatially organize versatile functions1,2. The evolution of sufficiently descriptive genetic toolkits probably triggered the explosion of complex multicellular life and patterning3,4. Synthetic biology aims to engineer multicellular systems for practical applications and to serve as a build-to-understand methodology for natural systems5–8. However, our ability to engineer multicellular interface patterns2,9 is still very limited, as synthetic cell–cell adhesion toolkits and suitable patterning algorithms are underdeveloped5,7,10–13. Here we introduce a synthetic cell–cell adhesin logic with swarming bacteria and establish the precise engineering, predictive modelling and algorithmic programming of multicellular interface patterns. We demonstrate interface generation through a swarming adhesion mechanism, quantitative control over interface geometry and adhesion-mediated analogues of developmental organizers and morphogen fields. Using tiling and four-colour-mapping concepts, we identify algorithms for creating universal target patterns. This synthetic 4-bit adhesion logic advances practical applications such as human-readable molecular diagnostics, spatial fluid control on biological surfaces and programmable self-growing materials5–8,14. Notably, a minimal set of just four adhesins represents 4 bits of information that suffice to program universal tessellation patterns, implying a low critical threshold for the evolution and engineering of complex multicellular systems3,5. A synthetic cell-cell adhesion logic using swarming E. coli with 4 bits of information is introduced, enabling the programming of interfaces that combine to form universal tessellation patterns over a large scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honesty Kim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Dominic J Skinner
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David S Glass
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander E Hamby
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Bradey A R Stuart
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jörn Dunkel
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ingmar H Riedel-Kruse
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. .,Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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Pierrat X, Pham A, Wong JPH, Al-Mayyah Z, Persat A. Engineering Agrobacterium tumefaciens Adhesion to Target Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2662-2671. [PMID: 35881049 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a plant pathogen commonly repurposed for genetic modification of crops. Despite its versatility, it remains inefficient at transferring DNA to many hosts, including to animal cells. Like many pathogens, physical contact between A. tumefaciens and host cells promotes infection efficacy. Thus, improving the strength and specificity of A. tumefaciens to target cells has the potential for enhancing DNA transfer for biotechnological and therapeutic purposes. Here, we demonstrate a methodology for engineering genetically encoded exogeneous adhesins at the surface of A. tumefaciens. We identified an autotransporter gene we named Aat that is predicted to show canonical β-barrel and passenger domains. We engineered the β-barrel scaffold and linker (Aatβ) to display synthetic adhesins susceptible to rewire A. tumefaciens to alternative host targets. As a proof of concept, we leveraged the versatility of a VHH domain to rewire A. tumefaciens adhesion to yeast and mammalian hosts displaying a GFP target receptor. Finally, to demonstrate how synthetic A. tumefaciens adhesion can improve transfer to host cells, we showed improved protein translocation into HeLa cells using a sensitive split luciferase reporter system. Engineering A. tumefaciens adhesion has therefore a strong potential in generating complex heterogeneous cellular assemblies and in improving DNA transfer efficiency against non-natural hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Pierrat
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering and Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alix Pham
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering and Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy P H Wong
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering and Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zainebe Al-Mayyah
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering and Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Persat
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering and Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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42
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Barbier I, Kusumawardhani H, Schaerli Y. Engineering synthetic spatial patterns in microbial populations and communities. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 67:102149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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43
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Lee SA, Riedel-Kruse IH. Micro-HBI: Human-Biology Interaction With Living Cells, Viruses, and Molecules. FRONTIERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcomp.2022.849887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-Biology Interaction (HBI) is a field that aims to provide first-hand experience with living matter and the modern life-sciences to the lay public. Advances in optical, bioengineering, and digital technologies as well as interaction design now also enable real and direct experiences at the microscale, such as with living cells and molecules, motivating the sub-field of “micro-HBI.” This is distinct from simulating any biological processes. There is a significant need for HBI as new educational modalities are required to enable all strata of society to become informed about new technologies and biology in general, as we face challenges like global pandemics, environmental loss, and species extinctions. Here we review this field in order to provide a jump-off point for future work and to bring stakeholder from different disciplines together. By now, the field has explored and demonstrated many such interactive systems, the use of different microorganisms, new interaction design principles, and versatile applications, such as museum exhibits, biotic games, educational cloud labs, citizen science platforms, and hands-on do-it-yourself (DIY) Bio maker activities. We close with key open questions for the field to move forward.
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Yu X, Zhou L, Wang G, Wang L, Dou H. Hierarchical Structures in Macromolecule-assembled Synthetic Cells. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2100926. [PMID: 35445490 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Various models of synthetic cells have been developed as researchers have sought to explore the origin of life. Based on the fact that structural complexity is the foundation of higher-order functions, this review will focus on hierarchical structures in synthetic cell models that are inspired by living systems, in which macromolecules are the dominant participants. We discuss the underlying advantages and functions provided by biomimetic higher-order structures from four perspectives, including hierarchical structures in membranes, in the composite construction of membrane-coated artificial cytoplasm, in organelle-like subcellular compartments, as well as in synthetic cell-cell assembled synthetic tissues. In parallel, various feasible driving forces and approaches for the fabrication of such higher-order structures are showcased. Furthermore, we highlight both the implemented and potential applications of biomimetic systems, bottom-up biosynthesis, biomedical tissue engineering, and disease therapy. This thriving field is gradually narrowing the gap between fundamental research and applied science. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Long Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 85 Wujin Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China
| | - Gangyang Wang
- Gangyang Wang, Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 85 Wujin Road, Shanghai, 200080, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Hongjing Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
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45
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Usami C, Inomata H. Rapalog-induced cell adhesion molecule inhibits mesoderm migration in Xenopus embryos by increasing frequency of adhesion to the ectoderm. Genes Cells 2022; 27:436-450. [PMID: 35437867 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
During the gastrula stage of Xenopus laevis, mesodermal cells migrate on the blastocoel roof (BCR) toward the animal pole. In this process, mesodermal cells directly adhere to the BCR via adhesion molecules, such as cadherins, which in turn trigger a repulsive reaction through factors such as Eph/ephrin. Therefore, the mesoderm and BCR repeatedly adhere to and detach from each other, and the frequency of this adhesion is thought to control mesoderm migration. Although knockdown of cadherin or Eph/ephrin causes severe gastrulation defects, these molecules have been reported to contribute not only to boundary formation but also to the internal function of each tissue. Therefore, it is possible that the defect caused by knockdown occurs due to tissue function abnormalities. To address this problem, we developed a method to specifically induce adhesion between different tissues using rapalog (an analog of rapamycin). When adhesion between the BCR and mesoderm was specifically enhanced by rapalog, mesoderm migration was strongly suppressed. Furthermore, we confirmed that rapalog significantly increased the frequency of adhesion between the two tissues. These results support the idea that the adhesion frequency controls mesoderm migration, and demonstrate that our method effectively enhances adhesion between specific tissues in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisa Usami
- Axial Pattern Dynamics Team, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Inomata
- Axial Pattern Dynamics Team, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
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46
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Kong Y, Du Q, Li J, Xing H. Engineering bacterial surface interactions using DNA as a programmable material. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:3086-3100. [PMID: 35077527 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc06138k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The diverse surface interactions and functions of a bacterium play an important role in cell signaling, host infection, and colony formation. To understand and synthetically control the biological functions of individual cells as well as the whole community, there is growing attention on the development of chemical and biological tools that can integrate artificial functional motifs onto the bacterial surface to replace the native interactions, enabling a variety of applications in biosynthesis, environmental protection, and human health. Among all these functional motifs, DNA emerges as a powerful tool that can precisely control bacterial interactions at the bio-interface due to its programmability and biorecognition properties. Compared with conventional chemical and genetic approaches, the sequence-specific Watson-Crick interaction enables almost unlimited programmability in DNA nanostructures, realizing one base-pair spatial control and bio-responsive properties. This highlight aims to provide an overview on this emerging research topic of DNA-engineered bacterial interactions from the aspect of synthetic chemists. We start with the introduction of native bacterial surface ligands and established synthetic approaches to install artificial ligands, including direct modification, metabolic engineering, and genetic engineering. A brief overview of DNA nanotechnology, reported DNA-bacteria conjugation chemistries, and several examples of DNA-engineered bacteria are included in this highlight. The future perspectives and challenges in this field are also discussed, including the development of dynamic bacterial surface chemistry, assembly of programmable multicellular community, and realization of bacteria-based theranostic agents and synthetic microbiota as long-term goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Kong
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China.
| | - Qi Du
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China.
| | - Juan Li
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China.
| | - Hang Xing
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China.
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Programmable living assembly of materials by bacterial adhesion. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:289-294. [PMID: 34934187 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00934-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The field of engineered living materials aims to construct functional materials with desirable properties of natural living systems. A recent study demonstrated the programmed self-assembly of bacterial populations by engineered adhesion. Here we use this strategy to engineer self-healing living materials with versatile functions. Bacteria displaying outer membrane-anchored nanobody-antigen pairs are cultured separately and, when mixed, adhere to each other to enable processing into functional materials, which we term living assembled material by bacterial adhesion (LAMBA). LAMBA is programmable and can be functionalized with extracellular moieties up to 545 amino acids. Notably, the adhesion between nanobody-antigen pairs in LAMBA leads to fast recovery under stretching or bending. By exploiting this feature, we fabricated wearable LAMBA sensors that can detect bioelectrical or biomechanical signals. Our work establishes a scalable approach to produce genetically editable and self-healable living functional materials that can be applied in biomanufacturing, bioremediation and soft bioelectronics assembly.
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48
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Vendrell-Fernández S, Lozano-Picazo P, Cuadros-Sánchez P, Tejero-Ojeda MM, Giraldo R. Conversion of the OmpF Porin into a Device to Gather Amyloids on the E. coli Outer Membrane. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:655-667. [PMID: 34852197 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protein amyloids are ubiquitous in natural environments. They typically originate from microbial secretions or spillages from mammals infected by prions, currently raising concerns about their infectivity and toxicity in contexts such as gut microbiota or soils. Exploiting the self-assembly potential of amyloids for their scavenging, here, we report the insertion of an amyloidogenic sequence stretch from a bacterial prion-like protein (RepA-WH1) in one of the extracellular loops (L5) of the abundant Escherichia coli outer membrane porin OmpF. The expression of this grafted porin enables bacterial cells to trap on their envelopes the same amyloidogenic sequence when provided as an extracellular free peptide. Conversely, when immobilized on a surface as bait, the full-length prion-like protein including the amyloidogenic peptide can catch bacteria displaying the L5-grafted OmpF. Polyphenolic molecules known to inhibit amyloid assembly interfere with peptide recognition by the engineered OmpF, indicating that this is compatible with the kind of homotypic interactions expected for amyloid assembly. Our study suggests that synthetic porins may provide suitable scaffolds for engineering biosensor and clearance devices to tackle the threat posed by pathogenic amyloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol Vendrell-Fernández
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CSIC), c/ Darwin 3, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Lozano-Picazo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), c/ Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Campus Moncloa, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Cuadros-Sánchez
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CSIC), c/ Darwin 3, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - María M. Tejero-Ojeda
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), c/ Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Campus Moncloa, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Giraldo
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CSIC), c/ Darwin 3, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), c/ Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Campus Moncloa, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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49
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Guo Z, Zhang L, Yang Q, Peng R, Yuan X, Xu L, Wang Z, Chen F, Huang H, Liu Q, Tan W. Manipulation of Multiple Cell–Cell Interactions by Tunable DNA Scaffold Networks. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202111151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Guo
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Qiuxia Yang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Ruizi Peng
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC) Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou Zhejiang 310022 China
| | - Xi Yuan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Liujun Xu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Zhimin Wang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Fengming Chen
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Huidong Huang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Qiaoling Liu
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL) State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics College of Biology Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province Hunan University Changsha Hunan 410082 China
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhejiang Cancer Hospital) Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC) Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou Zhejiang 310022 China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM) Renji Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
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50
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Wu Z, Xiao M, Lai W, Sun Y, Li L, Hu Z, Pei H. Nucleic Acid-Based Cell Surface Engineering Strategies and Their Applications. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:1901-1915. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c01126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongdong Wu
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Mingshu Xiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Wei Lai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yueyang Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Li Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zongqian Hu
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hao Pei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
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