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Li C, Han Y, Zou X, Zhang X, Ran Q, Dong C. A systematic discussion and comparison of the construction methods of synthetic microbial community. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2024; 9:775-783. [PMID: 39021362 PMCID: PMC11253132 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2024.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic microbial community has widely concerned in the fields of agriculture, food and environment over the past few years. However, there is little consensus on the method to synthetic microbial community from construction to functional verification. Here, we review the concept, characteristics, history and applications of synthetic microbial community, summarizing several methods for synthetic microbial community construction, such as isolation culture, core microbiome mining, automated design, and gene editing. In addition, we also systematically summarized the design concepts, technological thresholds, and applicable scenarios of various construction methods, and highlighted their advantages and limitations. Ultimately, this review provides four efficient, detailed, easy-to-understand and -follow steps for synthetic microbial community construction, with major implications for agricultural practices, food production, and environmental governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Li
- Institute of Fungus Resources, Department of Ecology/Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Yanfeng Han
- Institute of Fungus Resources, Department of Ecology/Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiao Zou
- Institute of Fungus Resources, Department of Ecology/Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Xueqian Zhang
- Institute of Fungus Resources, Department of Ecology/Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Qingsong Ran
- Institute of Fungus Resources, Department of Ecology/Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Chunbo Dong
- Institute of Fungus Resources, Department of Ecology/Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
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2
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Schwardmann LS, Benninghaus L, Lindner SN, Wendisch VF. Prospects of formamide as nitrogen source in biotechnological production processes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:105. [PMID: 38204134 PMCID: PMC10781810 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12962-x] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
This review presents an analysis of formamide, focussing on its occurrence in nature, its functional roles, and its promising applications in the context of the bioeconomy. We discuss the utilization of formamide as an innovative nitrogen source achieved through metabolic engineering. These approaches underscore formamide's potential in supporting growth and production in biotechnological processes. Furthermore, our review illuminates formamide's role as a nitrogen source capable of safeguarding cultivation systems against contamination in non-sterile conditions. This attribute adds an extra layer of practicality to its application, rendering it an attractive candidate for sustainable and resilient industrial practices. Additionally, the article unveils the versatility of formamide as a potential carbon source that could be combined with formate or CO2 assimilation pathways. However, its attributes, i.e., enriched nitrogen content and comparatively limited energy content, led to conclude that formamide is more suitable as a co-substrate and that its use as a sole source of carbon for biomass and bio-production is limited. Through our exploration of formamide's properties and its applications, this review underscores the significance of formamide as valuable resource for a large spectrum of industrial applications. KEY POINTS: • Formidases enable access to formamide as source of nitrogen, carbon, and energy • The formamide/formamidase system supports non-sterile fermentation • The nitrogen source formamide supports production of nitrogenous compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn S Schwardmann
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- , Aminoverse B.V., Daelderweg 9, 6361 HK, Nuth, Beekdaelen, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie Benninghaus
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker F Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
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3
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Yu L, Asemoloye MD, Marchisio MA. Laccase is a multitasking protein for synthetic gene circuits in the yeast Saccharomycescerevisiae. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2024; 9:638-646. [PMID: 38784196 PMCID: PMC11112005 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2024.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Laccase is a multicopper oxidase enzyme that oxidizes a variety of substrates, including polyphenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It catalyzes the four-electron reduction of molecular oxygen that results in the production of water as a by-product. Thus, laccase can play an important role in environmental care. Previously, we have successfully expressed Trametes trogii laccase (TtLcc1) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this work, we have expressed in yeast another laccase, LacA from Trametes sp. AH28-2, and tested its function on PAHs. Yeast cells engineered to produce the two laccases performed efficient PAH degradation. Both TtLcc1 and LacA led to the construction of spatiotemporal fluorescence-pulse generators when combined with a benzoate/salicylate yeast biosensor in a two-population system. Moreover, laccases returned a visual output signal in yeast synthetic circuits-upon reacting with ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)). Thus, in S. cerevisiae, laccases are a powerful alternative to fluorescent reporter proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mario Andrea Marchisio
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
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4
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Mao J, Zhang H, Chen Y, Wei L, Liu J, Nielsen J, Chen Y, Xu N. Relieving metabolic burden to improve robustness and bioproduction by industrial microorganisms. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 74:108401. [PMID: 38944217 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108401] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic burden is defined by the influence of genetic manipulation and environmental perturbations on the distribution of cellular resources. The rewiring of microbial metabolism for bio-based chemical production often leads to a metabolic burden, followed by adverse physiological effects, such as impaired cell growth and low product yields. Alleviating the burden imposed by undesirable metabolic changes has become an increasingly attractive approach for constructing robust microbial cell factories. In this review, we provide a brief overview of metabolic burden engineering, focusing specifically on recent developments and strategies for diminishing the burden while improving robustness and yield. A variety of examples are presented to showcase the promise of metabolic burden engineering in facilitating the design and construction of robust microbial cell factories. Finally, challenges and limitations encountered in metabolic burden engineering are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Mao
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Liang Wei
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China
| | - Jun Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China; Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, DK2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Ning Xu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, PR China.
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5
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Ding Q, Liu L. Reprogramming cellular metabolism to increase the efficiency of microbial cell factories. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024; 44:892-909. [PMID: 37380349 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2023.2208286] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies are increasingly focusing on advanced biotechnological tools, self-adjusting smart microorganisms, and artificial intelligent networks, to engineer microorganisms with various functions. Microbial cell factories are a vital platform for improving the bioproduction of medicines, biofuels, and biomaterials from renewable carbon sources. However, these processes are significantly affected by cellular metabolism, and boosting the efficiency of microbial cell factories remains a challenge. In this review, we present a strategy for reprogramming cellular metabolism to enhance the efficiency of microbial cell factories for chemical biosynthesis, which improves our understanding of microbial physiology and metabolic control. Current methods are mainly focused on synthetic pathways, metabolic resources, and cell performance. This review highlights the potential biotechnological strategy to reprogram cellular metabolism and provide novel guidance for designing more intelligent industrial microbes with broader applications in this growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Modern Biomanufacturing, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Liming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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Tienda S, Vida C, Villar-Moreno R, de Vicente A, Cazorla FM. Development of a Pseudomonas-based biocontrol consortium with effective root colonization and extended beneficial side effects for plants under high-temperature stress. Microbiol Res 2024; 285:127761. [PMID: 38761488 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127761] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The root microbiota plays a crucial role in plant performance. The use of microbial consortia is considered a very useful tool for studying microbial interactions in the rhizosphere of different agricultural crop plants. Thus, a consortium of 3 compatible beneficial rhizospheric Pseudomonas strains previously isolated from the avocado rhizosphere, was constructed. The consortium is composed of two compatible biocontrol P. chlororaphis strains (PCL1601 and PCL1606), and the biocontrol rhizobacterium Pseudomonas alcaligenes AVO110, which are all efficient root colonizers of avocado and tomato plants. These three strains were compatible with each other and reached stable levels both in liquid media and on plant roots. Bacterial strains were fluorescent tagged, and colonization-related traits were analyzed in vitro, revealing formation of mixed biofilm networks without exclusion of any of the strains. Additionally, bacterial colonization patterns compatible with the different strains were observed, with high survival traits on avocado and tomato roots. The bacteria composing the consortium shared the same root habitat and exhibited biocontrol activity against soil-borne fungal pathogens at similar levels to those displayed by the individual strains. As expected, because these strains were isolated from avocado roots, this Pseudomonas-based consortium had more stable bacterial counts on avocado roots than on tomato roots; however, inoculation of tomato roots with this consortium was shown to protect tomato plants under high-temperature stress. The results revealed that this consortium has side beneficial effect for tomato plants under high-temperature stress, thus improving the potential performance of the individual strains. We concluded that this rhizobacterial consortium do not improve the plant protection against soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi displayed by the single strains; however, its inoculation can show an specific improvement of plant performance on a horticultural non-host plant (such as tomato) when the plant was challenged by high temperature stress, thus extending the beneficial role of this bacterial consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Tienda
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, Avda. Louis Pasteur 31, Málaga 29071, Spain; Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades de Plantas, Área de Protección de Cultivos, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", IHSM-UMA-CSIC, Avda. Louis Pasteur 49, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - Carmen Vida
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, Avda. Louis Pasteur 31, Málaga 29071, Spain; Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades de Plantas, Área de Protección de Cultivos, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", IHSM-UMA-CSIC, Avda. Louis Pasteur 49, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - Rafael Villar-Moreno
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, Avda. Louis Pasteur 31, Málaga 29071, Spain; Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades de Plantas, Área de Protección de Cultivos, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", IHSM-UMA-CSIC, Avda. Louis Pasteur 49, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - Antonio de Vicente
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, Avda. Louis Pasteur 31, Málaga 29071, Spain; Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades de Plantas, Área de Protección de Cultivos, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", IHSM-UMA-CSIC, Avda. Louis Pasteur 49, Málaga 29010, Spain
| | - Francisco M Cazorla
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, Avda. Louis Pasteur 31, Málaga 29071, Spain; Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades de Plantas, Área de Protección de Cultivos, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", IHSM-UMA-CSIC, Avda. Louis Pasteur 49, Málaga 29010, Spain.
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7
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Sitara A, Hocq R, Horvath J, Pflügl S. Industrial biotechnology goes thermophilic: Thermoanaerobes as promising hosts in the circular carbon economy. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 408:131164. [PMID: 39069138 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Transitioning away from fossil feedstocks is imperative to mitigate climate change, and necessitates the utilization of renewable, alternative carbon and energy sources to foster a circular carbon economy. In this context, lignocellulosic biomass and one-carbon compounds emerge as promising feedstocks that could be renewably upgraded by thermophilic anaerobes (thermoanaerobes) via gas fermentation or consolidated bioprocessing to value-added products. In this review, the potential of thermoanaerobes for cost-efficient, effective and sustainable bioproduction is discussed. Metabolic and bioprocess engineering approaches are reviewed to draw a comprehensive picture of current developments and future perspectives for the conversion of renewable feedstocks to chemicals and fuels of interest. Selected bioprocessing scenarios are outlined, offering practical insights into the applicability of thermoanaerobes at a large scale. Collectively, the potential advantages of thermoanaerobes regarding process economics could facilitate an easier transition towards sustainable bioprocesses with renewable feedstocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeliki Sitara
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rémi Hocq
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Optimized Expression of Carbohydrate-active Enzymes, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria; CIRCE Biotechnologie GmbH, Kerpengasse 125, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Josef Horvath
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Optimized Expression of Carbohydrate-active Enzymes, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Pflügl
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Optimized Expression of Carbohydrate-active Enzymes, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Wang L, Sun Y, Yang L, Wang S, Liu C, Wang Y, Niu Y, Huang Z, Zhang J, Wang C, Dong L. Engineering an energy-dissipating hybrid tissue in vivo for obesity treatment. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114425. [PMID: 38970789 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114425] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a global health challenge with limited therapeutic solutions. Here, we demonstrate the engineering of an energy-dissipating hybrid tissue (EDHT) in the body for weight control. EDHT is constructed by implanting a synthetic gel matrix comprising immunomodulatory signals and functional cells into the recipient mouse. The immunomodulatory signals induce the host stromal cells to create an immunosuppressive niche that protects the functional cells, which are overexpressing the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), from immune rejection. Consequently, these endogenous and exogenous cells co-develop a hybrid tissue that sustainedly produces UCP1 to accelerate the host's energy expenditure. Systematic experiments in high-fat diet (HFD) and transgenic (ob/ob) mice show that EDHT efficiently reduces body weight and relieves obesity-associated pathological conditions. Importantly, an 18-month observation for safety assessment excludes cell leakage from EDHT and reports no adverse physiological responses. Overall, EDHT demonstrates convincing efficacy and safety in controlling body weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lintao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210093, China; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yajie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Lifang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Shaocong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yulian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yiming Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210093, China; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
| | - Chunming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Lei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210093, China; Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
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9
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Chin WC, Zhou YZ, Wang HY, Feng YT, Yang RY, Huang ZF, Yang YL. Bacterial polyynes uncovered: a journey through their bioactive properties, biosynthetic mechanisms, and sustainable production strategies. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:977-989. [PMID: 38284321 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00059a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2023Conjugated polyynes are natural compounds characterized by alternating single and triple carbon-carbon bonds, endowing them with distinct physicochemical traits and a range of biological activities. While traditionally sourced mainly from plants, recent investigations have revealed many compounds originating from bacterial strains. This review synthesizes current research on bacterial-derived conjugated polyynes, delving into their biosynthetic routes, underscoring the variety in their molecular structures, and examining their potential applications in biotechnology. Additionally, we outline future directions for metabolic and protein engineering to establish more robust and stable platforms for their production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chih Chin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Zhi Zhou
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Yung Wang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Wood Based Materials and Design, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Feng
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Yin Yang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Zih-Fang Huang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Liang Yang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
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10
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Matuszyńska A, Ebenhöh O, Zurbriggen MD, Ducat DC, Axmann IM. A new era of synthetic biology-microbial community design. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2024; 9:ysae011. [PMID: 39086602 PMCID: PMC11290361 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysae011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology conceptualizes biological complexity as a network of biological parts, devices, and systems with predetermined functionalities and has had a revolutionary impact on fundamental and applied research. With the unprecedented ability to synthesize and transfer any DNA and RNA across organisms, the scope of synthetic biology is expanding and being recreated in previously unimaginable ways. The field has matured to a level where highly complex networks, such as artificial communities of synthetic organisms, can be constructed. In parallel, computational biology became an integral part of biological studies, with computational models aiding the unravelling of the escalating complexity and emerging properties of biological phenomena. However, there is still a vast untapped potential for the complete integration of modelling into the synthetic design process, presenting exciting opportunities for scientific advancements. Here, we first highlight the most recent advances in computer-aided design of microbial communities. Next, we propose that such a design can benefit from an organism-free modular modelling approach that places its emphasis on modules of organismal function towards the design of multispecies communities. We argue for a shift in perspective from single organism-centred approaches to emphasizing the functional contributions of organisms within the community. By assembling synthetic biological systems using modular computational models with mathematical descriptions of parts and circuits, we can tailor organisms to fulfil specific functional roles within the community. This approach aligns with synthetic biology strategies and presents exciting possibilities for the design of artificial communities. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Matuszyńska
- Computational Life Science, Department of Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, CEPLAS, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Oliver Ebenhöh
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, CEPLAS, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
- Institute of Quantitative and Theoretical Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Matias D Zurbriggen
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, CEPLAS, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Daniel C Ducat
- MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Ilka M Axmann
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, CEPLAS, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
- Institute for Synthetic Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
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11
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Khodadadi Yazdi M, Seidi F, Hejna A, Zarrintaj P, Rabiee N, Kucinska-Lipka J, Saeb MR, Bencherif SA. Tailor-Made Polysaccharides for Biomedical Applications. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:4193-4230. [PMID: 38958361 PMCID: PMC11253104 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c01199] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Polysaccharides (PSAs) are carbohydrate-based macromolecules widely used in the biomedical field, either in their pure form or in blends/nanocomposites with other materials. The relationship between structure, properties, and functions has inspired scientists to design multifunctional PSAs for various biomedical applications by incorporating unique molecular structures and targeted bulk properties. Multiple strategies, such as conjugation, grafting, cross-linking, and functionalization, have been explored to control their mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, degradability, rheological features, and stimuli-responsiveness. For instance, custom-made PSAs are known for their worldwide biomedical applications in tissue engineering, drug/gene delivery, and regenerative medicine. Furthermore, the remarkable advancements in supramolecular engineering and chemistry have paved the way for mission-oriented biomaterial synthesis and the fabrication of customized biomaterials. These materials can synergistically combine the benefits of biology and chemistry to tackle important biomedical questions. Herein, we categorize and summarize PSAs based on their synthesis methods, and explore the main strategies used to customize their chemical structures. We then highlight various properties of PSAs using practical examples. Lastly, we thoroughly describe the biomedical applications of tailor-made PSAs, along with their current existing challenges and potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Khodadadi Yazdi
- Division
of Electrochemistry and Surface Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Applied
Physics and Mathematics, Gdańsk University
of Technology, Narutowicza
11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
- Advanced
Materials Center, Gdańsk University
of Technology, Narutowicza
11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Farzad Seidi
- Jiangsu
Co−Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization
of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest
Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry
University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Aleksander Hejna
- Institute
of Materials Technology, Poznan University
of Technology, PL-61-138 Poznań, Poland
| | - Payam Zarrintaj
- School
of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State
University, 420 Engineering
North, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - Navid Rabiee
- Department
of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, SIMATS, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Justyna Kucinska-Lipka
- Department
of Polymer Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mohammad Reza Saeb
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Medical University
of Gdańsk, J.
Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sidi A. Bencherif
- Chemical
Engineering Department, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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12
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Xiong F, Su Z, Tang Y, Dai T, Wen D. Global WWTP Microbiome-based Integrative Information Platform: From experience to intelligence. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 20:100370. [PMID: 38292137 PMCID: PMC10826124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100370] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing formidable challenges in effectively eliminating emerging pollutants and conventional nutrients. In microbiome engineering, two approaches have been developed: a top-down method focusing on domesticating seed microbiomes into engineered ones, and a bottom-up strategy that synthesizes engineered microbiomes from microbial isolates. However, these approaches face substantial hurdles that limit their real-world applicability in wastewater treatment engineering. Addressing this gap, we propose the creation of a Global WWTP Microbiome-based Integrative Information Platform, inspired by the untapped microbiome and engineering data from WWTPs and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). This open platform integrates microbiome and engineering information globally and utilizes AI-driven tools for identifying seed microbiomes for new plants, providing technical upgrades for existing facilities, and deploying microbiomes for accidental pollution remediation. Beyond its practical applications, this platform has significant scientific and social value, supporting multidisciplinary research, documenting microbial evolution, advancing Wastewater-Based Epidemiology, and enhancing global resource sharing. Overall, the platform is expected to enhance WWTPs' performance in pollution control, safeguarding a harmonious and healthy future for human society and the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuzhong Xiong
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhiguo Su
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yushi Tang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Tianjiao Dai
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Donghui Wen
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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13
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Jin R, Song J, Liu C, Lin R, Liang D, Aweya JJ, Weng W, Zhu L, Shang J, Yang S. Synthetic microbial communities: Novel strategies to enhance the quality of traditional fermented foods. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2024; 23:e13388. [PMID: 38865218 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13388] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Consumers are attracted to traditional fermented foods due to their unique flavor and nutritional value. However, the traditional fermentation technique can no longer accommodate the requirements of the food industry. Traditional fermented foods produce hazardous compounds, off-odor, and anti-nutritional factors, reducing product stability. The microbial system complexity of traditional fermented foods resulting from the open fermentation process has made it challenging to regulate these problems by modifying microbial behaviors. Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) have been shown to simplify complex microbial communities and allow for the targeted design of microbial communities, which has been applied in processing traditional fermented foods. Herein, we describe the theoretical information of SynComs, particularly microbial physiological processes and their interactions. This paper discusses current approaches to creating SynComs, including designing, building, testing, and learning, with typical applications and fundamental techniques. Based on various traditional fermented food innovation demands, the potential and application of SynComs in enhancing the quality of traditional fermented foods are highlighted. SynComs showed superior performance in regulating the quality of traditional fermented foods using the interaction of core microorganisms to reduce the hazardous compounds of traditional fermented foods and improve flavor. Additionally, we presented the current status and future perspectives of SynComs for improving the quality of traditional fermented foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritian Jin
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jing Song
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chang Liu
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Rong Lin
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Duo Liang
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jude Juventus Aweya
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wuyin Weng
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Longji Zhu
- Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Science, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiaqi Shang
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shen Yang
- College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Enzyme Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
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14
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Chen M, Guo B, Cheng H, Wang W, Jin J, Zhang Y, Deng X, Yang W, Wu C, Gao X, Yu D, Feng W, Chen Y. Genetic Engineering Bacillus thuringiensis Enable Melanin Biosynthesis for Anti-Tumor and Anti-Inflammation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2308506. [PMID: 38943265 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Collaboration between cancer treatment and inflammation management has emerged as an integral facet of comprehensive cancer care. Nevertheless, the development of interventions concurrently targeting both inflammation and cancer has encountered significant challenges stemming from various external factors. Herein, a bioactive agent synthesized by genetically engineering melanin-producing Bacillus thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis) bacteria, simultaneously achieves eco-friendly photothermal agent and efficient reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) scavenger benefits, perfectly tackling present toughies from inflammation to cancer therapies. The biologically derived melanin exhibits exceptional photothermal-conversion performance, facilitating potent photonic hyperthermia that effectively eradicates tumor cells and tissues, thereby impeding tumor growth. Additionally, the RONS-scavenging properties of melanin produced by B. thuringiensis bacteria contribute to inflammation reduction, augmenting the efficacy of photothermal tumor repression. This study presents a representative paradigm of genetic engineering in B. thuringiensis bacteria to produce functional agents tailored for diverse biomedical applications, encompassing inflammation and cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Chen
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Bingbing Guo
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Hui Cheng
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Weiyi Wang
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Junyi Jin
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Yingyi Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun, Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, P. R. China
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolian Deng
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun, Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, P. R. China
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Chenyao Wu
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Dehong Yu
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Wei Feng
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) Wenzhou Institute of Shanghai University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325088, P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health) Wenzhou Institute of Shanghai University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325088, P. R. China
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15
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Wang J, Zhang L, He Y, Ji R. Biodegradation of phenolic pollutants and bioaugmentation strategies: A review of current knowledge and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133906. [PMID: 38430590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The widespread use of phenolic compounds renders their occurrence in various environmental matrices, posing ecological risks especially the endocrine disruption effects. Biodegradation-based techniques are efficient and cost-effective in degrading phenolic pollutants with less production of secondary pollution. This review focuses on phenol, 4-nonylphenol, 4-nitrophenol, bisphenol A and tetrabromobisphenol A as the representatives, and summarizes the current knowledge and future perspectives of their biodegradation and the enhancement strategy of bioaugmentation. Biodegradation and isolation of degrading microorganisms were mainly investigated under oxic conditions, where phenolic pollutants are typically hydroxylated to 4-hydroxybenzoate or hydroquinone prior to ring opening. Bioaugmentation efficiencies of phenolic pollutants significantly vary under different application conditions (e.g., increased degradation by 10-95% in soil and sediment). To optimize degradation of phenolic pollutants in different matrices, the factors that influence biodegradation capacity of microorganisms and performance of bioaugmentation are discussed. The use of immobilization strategy, indigenous degrading bacteria, and highly competent exogenous bacteria are proposed to facilitate the bioaugmentation process. Further studies are suggested to illustrate 1) biodegradation of phenolic pollutants under anoxic conditions, 2) application of microbial consortia with synergistic effects for phenolic pollutant degradation, and 3) assessment on the uncertain ecological risks associated with bioaugmentation, resulting from changes in degradation pathway of phenolic pollutants and alterations in structure and function of indigenous microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lidan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yujie He
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Quanzhou Institute for Environment Protection Industry, Nanjing University, Quanzhou 362000, China.
| | - Rong Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Quanzhou Institute for Environment Protection Industry, Nanjing University, Quanzhou 362000, China
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16
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Silva-Andrade C, Rodriguez-Fernández M, Garrido D, Martin AJM. Using metabolic networks to predict cross-feeding and competition interactions between microorganisms. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0228723. [PMID: 38506512 PMCID: PMC11064492 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02287-23] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the interactions between microorganisms and their impact on bacterial behavior at the community level is a key research topic in microbiology. Different methods, relying on experimental or mathematical approaches based on the diverse properties of bacteria, are currently employed to study these interactions. Recently, the use of metabolic networks to understand the interactions between bacterial pairs has increased, highlighting the relevance of this approach in characterizing bacteria. In this study, we leverage the representation of bacteria through their metabolic networks to build a predictive model aimed at reducing the number of experimental assays required for designing bacterial consortia with specific behaviors. Our novel method for predicting cross-feeding or competition interactions between pairs of microorganisms utilizes metabolic network features. Machine learning classifiers are employed to determine the type of interaction from automatically reconstructed metabolic networks. Several algorithms were assessed and selected based on comprehensive testing and careful separation of manually compiled data sets obtained from literature sources. We used different classification algorithms, including K Nearest Neighbors, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, and Random Forest, tested different parameter values, and implemented several data curation approaches to reduce the biological bias associated with our data set, ultimately achieving an accuracy of over 0.9. Our method holds substantial potential to advance the understanding of community behavior and contribute to the development of more effective approaches for consortia design.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding bacterial interactions at the community level is critical for microbiology, and leveraging metabolic networks presents an efficient and effective approach. The introduction of this novel method for predicting interactions through machine learning classifiers has the potential to advance the field by reducing the number of experimental assays required and contributing to the development of more effective bacterial consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Silva-Andrade
- Programa de Doctorado en Genómica Integrativa, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Redes Biológicas, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Rodriguez-Fernández
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel Garrido
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alberto J. M. Martin
- Laboratorio de Redes Biológicas, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Ingeniería, Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
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17
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Giannantoni L, Bardini R, Savino A, Di Carlo S. Biology System Description Language (BiSDL): a modeling language for the design of multicellular synthetic biological systems. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:166. [PMID: 38664639 PMCID: PMC11046772 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05782-x] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Biology System Description Language (BiSDL) is an accessible, easy-to-use computational language for multicellular synthetic biology. It allows synthetic biologists to represent spatiality and multi-level cellular dynamics inherent to multicellular designs, filling a gap in the state of the art. Developed for designing and simulating spatial, multicellular synthetic biological systems, BiSDL integrates high-level conceptual design with detailed low-level modeling, fostering collaboration in the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle. BiSDL descriptions directly compile into Nets-Within-Nets (NWNs) models, offering a unique approach to spatial and hierarchical modeling in biological systems. RESULTS BiSDL's effectiveness is showcased through three case studies on complex multicellular systems: a bacterial consortium, a synthetic morphogen system and a conjugative plasmid transfer process. These studies highlight the BiSDL proficiency in representing spatial interactions and multi-level cellular dynamics. The language facilitates the compilation of conceptual designs into detailed, simulatable models, leveraging the NWNs formalism. This enables intuitive modeling of complex biological systems, making advanced computational tools more accessible to a broader range of researchers. CONCLUSIONS BiSDL represents a significant step forward in computational languages for synthetic biology, providing a sophisticated yet user-friendly tool for designing and simulating complex biological systems with an emphasis on spatiality and cellular dynamics. Its introduction has the potential to transform research and development in synthetic biology, allowing for deeper insights and novel applications in understanding and manipulating multicellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Giannantoni
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
| | - Roberta Bardini
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Savino
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Carlo
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
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18
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You J, Wang Y, Wang K, Du Y, Zhang X, Zhang X, Yang T, Pan X, Rao Z. Utilizing 5' UTR Engineering Enables Fine-Tuning of Multiple Genes within Operons to Balance Metabolic Flux in Bacillus subtilis. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:277. [PMID: 38666889 PMCID: PMC11047901 DOI: 10.3390/biology13040277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The application of synthetic biology tools to modulate gene expression to increase yield has been thoroughly demonstrated as an effective and convenient approach in industrial production. In this study, we employed a high-throughput screening strategy to identify a 5' UTR sequence from the genome of B. subtilis 168. This sequence resulted in a 5.8-fold increase in the expression level of EGFP. By utilizing the 5' UTR sequence to overexpress individual genes within the rib operon, it was determined that the genes ribD and ribAB serve as rate-limiting enzymes in the riboflavin synthesis pathway. Constructing a 5' UTR library to regulate EGFP expression resulted in a variation range in gene expression levels exceeding 100-fold. Employing the same 5' UTR library to regulate the expression of EGFP and mCherry within the operon led to a change in the expression ratio of these two genes by over 10,000-fold. So, employing a 5' UTR library to modulate the expression of the rib operon gene and construct a synthetic rib operon resulted in a 2.09-fold increase in riboflavin production. These results indicate that the 5' UTR sequence identified and characterized in this study can serve as a versatile synthetic biology toolkit for achieving complex metabolic network reconstruction. This toolkit can facilitate the fine-tuning of gene expression to produce target products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia You
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Applied Microorganisms and Metabolic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (J.Y.); (K.W.); (Y.D.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (T.Y.)
- Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Yixing 214200, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Kang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Applied Microorganisms and Metabolic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (J.Y.); (K.W.); (Y.D.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (T.Y.)
| | - Yuxuan Du
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Applied Microorganisms and Metabolic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (J.Y.); (K.W.); (Y.D.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (T.Y.)
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Applied Microorganisms and Metabolic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (J.Y.); (K.W.); (Y.D.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (T.Y.)
| | - Xian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Applied Microorganisms and Metabolic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (J.Y.); (K.W.); (Y.D.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (T.Y.)
| | - Taowei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Applied Microorganisms and Metabolic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (J.Y.); (K.W.); (Y.D.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (T.Y.)
| | - Xuewei Pan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Applied Microorganisms and Metabolic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (J.Y.); (K.W.); (Y.D.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (T.Y.)
| | - Zhiming Rao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Applied Microorganisms and Metabolic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; (J.Y.); (K.W.); (Y.D.); (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (T.Y.)
- Yixing Institute of Food and Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Yixing 214200, China
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19
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Rong L, Liu K, An M, Zhang L, Zhang D, Wu L, Li R. Fungal-Bacterial Mutualism: Species and Strain-Dependent Simultaneous Modulation of Branched-Chain Esters and Indole Derivatives in Fermented Sausages through Metabolite Cross-Feeding. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:8749-8759. [PMID: 38579123 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The precise impact of species and strain diversity on fungal-bacterial interactions and the overall community functioning has remained unclear. First, our study revealed how Debaryomyces hansenii influences diverse bacteria to accumulate key metabolites in a simulated fermented food system. For flavor, D. hansenii promoted the accumulation of branched-chain esters in Staphylococcus xylosus by promoting growth and facilitating the precursor branched-chain acids transformations but hindered the accumulation of Staphylococcus equorum. Furthermore, fungal-bacterial interactions displayed diversity among S. equorum strains. For bioactive compounds, species and strain diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) also influences the production of indole derivatives. Then, we investigated specific metabolic exchanges under reciprocal interaction. Amino acids, rather than vitamins, were identified as the primary drivers of the bacterial growth promotion. Moreover, precursor transformations by D. hansenii played a significant role in branched-chain esters production. Finally, a synthetic community capable of producing high concentrations of branched-chain esters and indole derivatives was successfully constructed. These results provide valuable insights into understanding and designing synthetic communities for fermented sausages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangyan Rong
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Storage, Processing and Safety Control Technology for Fresh Agricultural and Aquatic Products, Bohai University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121013, China
| | - Kaihao Liu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Storage, Processing and Safety Control Technology for Fresh Agricultural and Aquatic Products, Bohai University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121013, China
| | - Mairui An
- Zibo Institute for Food and Drug Control, Zibo, Shandong 255086, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Storage, Processing and Safety Control Technology for Fresh Agricultural and Aquatic Products, Bohai University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121013, China
| | - Di Zhang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Storage, Processing and Safety Control Technology for Fresh Agricultural and Aquatic Products, Bohai University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121013, China
| | - Liu Wu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Storage, Processing and Safety Control Technology for Fresh Agricultural and Aquatic Products, Bohai University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121013, China
| | - Ruren Li
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Storage, Processing and Safety Control Technology for Fresh Agricultural and Aquatic Products, Bohai University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121013, China
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20
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Cook GD, Stasulli NM. Employing synthetic biology to expand antibiotic discovery. SLAS Technol 2024; 29:100120. [PMID: 38340893 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2024.100120] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial pathogens are a continually growing threat as our methods for combating these infections continue to be overcome by the evolution of resistance mechanisms. Recent therapeutic methods have not staved off the concern of AMR infections, so continued research focuses on new ways of identifying small molecules to treat AMR pathogens. While chemical modification of existing antibiotics is possible, there has been rapid development of resistance by pathogens that were initially susceptible to these compounds. Synthetic biology is becoming a key strategy in trying to predict and induce novel, natural antibiotics. Advances in cloning and mutagenesis techniques applied through a synthetic biology lens can help characterize the native regulation of antibiotic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) to identify potential modifications leading to more potent antibiotic activity. Additionally, many cryptic antibiotic BGCs are derived from non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic pathways; complex, clustered genetic sequences that give rise to amino acid-derived natural products. Synthetic biology can be applied to modify and metabolically engineer these enzyme-based systems to promote rapid and sustainable production of natural products and their variants. This review will focus on recent advances related to synthetic biology as applied to genetic pathway characterization and identification of antibiotics from naturally occurring BGCs. Specifically, we will summarize recent efforts to characterize BGCs via general genomic mutagenesis, endogenous gene expression, and heterologous gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta D Cook
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Rd, Dodds Hall 316, West Haven 06516 USA
| | - Nikolas M Stasulli
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Rd, Dodds Hall 316, West Haven 06516 USA.
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21
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Karlsmose AK, Ivanova M, Kragh ML, Kjeldgaard JS, Otani S, Svendsen CA, Papić B, Zdovc I, Tasara T, Stephan R, Heir E, Langsrud S, Møretrø T, Dalgaard P, Fagerlund A, Hansen LT, Aarestrup FM, Leekitcharoenphon P. A novel metagenomic approach uncovers phage genes as markers for increased disinfectant tolerance in mixed Listeria monocytogenes communities. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 119:105582. [PMID: 38467173 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is an important human pathogen with a high mortality rate. Consumption of contaminated ready-to-eat food is the main mode of transmission to humans. Disinfectant-tolerant L. monocytogenes have emerged, which are believed to have increased persistence potential. Elucidating the mechanisms of L. monocytogenes disinfectant tolerance has been the focus of previous studies using pure cultures. A limitation of such approach is the difficulty to identify strains with reduced susceptibility due to inter-strain variation and the need to screen large numbers of strains and genes. In this study, we applied a novel metagenomic approach to detect genes associated with disinfectant tolerance in mixed L. monocytogenes planktonic communities. Two communities, consisting of 71 and 80 isolates each, were treated with the food industry disinfectants benzalkonium chloride (BC, 1.75 mg/L) or peracetic acid (PAA, 38 mg/L). The communities were subjected to metagenomic sequencing and differences in individual gene abundances between biocide-free control communities and biocide-treated communities were determined. A significant increase in the abundance of Listeria phage-associated genes was observed in both communities after treatment, suggesting that prophage carriage could lead to an increased disinfectant tolerance in mixed L. monocytogenes planktonic communities. In contrast, a significant decrease in the abundance of a high-copy emrC-harbouring plasmid pLmN12-0935 was observed in both communities after treatment. In PAA-treated community, a putative ABC transporter previously found to be necessary for L. monocytogenes resistance to antimicrobial agents and virulence, was among the genes with the highest weight for differentiating treated from control samples. The undertaken metagenomic approach in this study can be applied to identify genes associated with increased tolerance to other antimicrobials in mixed bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete Kirstine Karlsmose
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mirena Ivanova
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Martin Laage Kragh
- Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jette Sejer Kjeldgaard
- Research Group for Global Capacity Building, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Saria Otani
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christina Aaby Svendsen
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bojan Papić
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Irena Zdovc
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Taurai Tasara
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Even Heir
- Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Solveig Langsrud
- Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Trond Møretrø
- Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Paw Dalgaard
- Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Annette Fagerlund
- Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Ås, Norway
| | - Lisbeth Truelstrup Hansen
- Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Frank M Aarestrup
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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22
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Adnane I, Taoumi H, Elouahabi K, Lahrech K, Oulmekki A. Valorization of crop residues and animal wastes: Anaerobic co-digestion technology. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26440. [PMID: 38439870 PMCID: PMC10909651 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
To switch the over-reliance on fossil-based resources, curb environmental quality deterioration, and promote the use of renewable fuels, much attention has recently been directed toward the implementation of sustainable and environmentally benign 'waste-to-energy' technology exploiting a clean, inexhaustible, carbon-neutral, and renewable energy source, namely agricultural biomass. From this perspective, anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) technology emerges as a potent and plausible approach to attain sustainable energy development, foster environmental sustainability, and, most importantly, circumvent the key challenges associated with mono-digestion. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of AcoD as a biochemical valorization pathway of crop residues and livestock manure for biogas production. Furthermore, this manuscript aims to assess the different biotic and abiotic parameters affecting co-digestion efficiency and present recent advancements in pretreatment technologies designed to enhance feedstock biodegradability and conversion rate. It can be concluded that the substantial quantities of crop residues and animal waste generated annually from agricultural practices represent valuable bioenergy resources that can contribute to meeting global targets for affordable renewable energy. Nevertheless, extensive and multidisciplinary research is needed to evolve the industrial-scale implementation of AcoD technology of livestock waste and crop residues, particularly when a pretreatment phase is included, and bridge the gap between small-scale studies and real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imane Adnane
- Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (USMBA), IPI Laboratory, ENS, Fez, Morocco
| | - Hamza Taoumi
- Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (USMBA), IPI Laboratory, ENS, Fez, Morocco
| | - Karim Elouahabi
- Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (USMBA), IPI Laboratory, ENS, Fez, Morocco
| | - Khadija Lahrech
- Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (USMBA), ENSA, Fez, Morocco
| | - Abdellah Oulmekki
- Laboratory of Processes, Materials and Environment (LPME), Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
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23
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Wu C, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Hu M, Lin Y, He J, Li S, Zhang Y, Lang HJ. The biosafety incident response competence scale for clinical nursing staff: a development and validation study. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:180. [PMID: 38486252 PMCID: PMC10941487 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01848-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS This study was designed to develop a biosafety incident response competence scale and evaluate its validity and reliability among clinical nurses. DESIGN This study employed a sequential approach, comprising four phases: (1) the establishment of a multidimensional conceptual model, (2) the preliminary selection of the items, (3) further exploration and psychometric testing of the items, (4) the application of the scale among clinical nurses. METHODS The biosafety incident response competence conceptual model was developed through literature review and the Delphi method. A total of 1,712 clinical nurses participated in the preliminary items selection, while 1,027 clinical nurses were involved in the further psychometric testing from July 2023 to August 2023. The item analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to evaluate the construct validity. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability, while validity analysis included content validity, structural validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. From September to November 2023, we conducted a survey using the established scale with a total of 4338 valid questionnaires collected. T-test and variance analysis was employed to determine potential variations in biosafety incident response competence based on participants characteristics. RESULTS The final scale is composed of 4 factors and 29 items, including monitoring and warning abilities, nursing disposal abilities, biosafety knowledge preparedness, and infection protection abilities. The explanatory variance of the 4 factors was 75.100%. The Cronbach's alpha, split-half reliability and test-retest reliability were 0.974, 0.945 and 0.840 respectively. The Scale-level content validity index was 0.866. The Average Variance Extracted of the 4 factors was larger than 0.5, the Construct Reliability was larger than 0.7, and the Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio were less than 0.9. There were significant differences in the scores of response competence among nurses of different ages, working years, titles, positions, departments, marital status and participation in biosafety training (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The biosafety incident response competence scale for nurses exhibits satisfactory reliability and validity, making it a valuable tool for assessing clinical nurses' abilities in responding to biosafety incidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wu
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hongli Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Nursing, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yinjuan Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Nursing, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengyi Hu
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Nursing, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yawei Lin
- 956th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Tibet Xizang, China
| | - Jing He
- Laboratory Department, Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital, Yan'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuwen Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, No.1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yulian Zhang
- Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No.256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Hong-Juan Lang
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
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24
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Shi M, Evans CA, McQuillan JL, Noirel J, Pandhal J. LFQRatio: A Normalization Method to Decipher Quantitative Proteome Changes in Microbial Coculture Systems. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:999-1013. [PMID: 38354288 PMCID: PMC10913063 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00714] [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: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The value of synthetic microbial communities in biotechnology is gaining traction due to their ability to undertake more complex metabolic tasks than monocultures. However, a thorough understanding of strain interactions, productivity, and stability is often required to optimize growth and scale up cultivation. Quantitative proteomics can provide valuable insights into how microbial strains adapt to changing conditions in biomanufacturing. However, current workflows and methodologies are not suitable for simple artificial coculture systems where strain ratios are dynamic. Here, we established a workflow for coculture proteomics using an exemplar system containing two members, Azotobacter vinelandii and Synechococcus elongatus. Factors affecting the quantitative accuracy of coculture proteomics were investigated, including peptide physicochemical characteristics such as molecular weight, isoelectric point, hydrophobicity, and dynamic range as well as factors relating to protein identification such as varying proteome size and shared peptides between species. Different quantification methods based on spectral counts and intensity were evaluated at the protein and cell level. We propose a new normalization method, named "LFQRatio", to reflect the relative contributions of two distinct cell types emerging from cell ratio changes during cocultivation. LFQRatio can be applied to real coculture proteomics experiments, providing accurate insights into quantitative proteome changes in each strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxun Shi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K
| | - Caroline A Evans
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K
| | - Josie L McQuillan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K
| | - Josselin Noirel
- GBCM Laboratory (EA7528), Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, HESAM Université, 2 rue Conté, Paris 75003, France
| | - Jagroop Pandhal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, U.K
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25
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Peng H, Darlington APS, South EJ, Chen HH, Jiang W, Ledesma-Amaro R. A molecular toolkit of cross-feeding strains for engineering synthetic yeast communities. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:848-863. [PMID: 38326570 PMCID: PMC10914607 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01596-4] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Engineered microbial consortia often have enhanced system performance and robustness compared with single-strain biomanufacturing production platforms. However, few tools are available for generating co-cultures of the model and key industrial host Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we engineer auxotrophic and overexpression yeast strains that can be used to create co-cultures through exchange of essential metabolites. Using these strains as modules, we engineered two- and three-member consortia using different cross-feeding architectures. Through a combination of ensemble modelling and experimentation, we explored how cellular (for example, metabolite production strength) and environmental (for example, initial population ratio, population density and extracellular supplementation) factors govern population dynamics in these systems. We tested the use of the toolkit in a division of labour biomanufacturing case study and show that it enables enhanced and tuneable antioxidant resveratrol production. We expect this toolkit to become a useful resource for a variety of applications in synthetic ecology and biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huadong Peng
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alexander P S Darlington
- Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Eric J South
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hao-Hong Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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26
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Sánchez Á, Arrabal A, San Román M, Díaz-Colunga J. The optimization of microbial functions through rational environmental manipulations. Mol Microbiol 2024. [PMID: 38372207 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15236] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Microorganisms play a central role in biotechnology and it is key that we develop strategies to engineer and optimize their functionality. To this end, most efforts have focused on introducing genetic manipulations in microorganisms which are then grown either in monoculture or in mixed-species consortia. An alternative strategy to optimize microbial processes is to rationally engineer the environment in which microbes grow. The microbial environment is multidimensional, including factors such as temperature, pH, salinity, nutrient composition, etc. These environmental factors all influence the growth and phenotypes of microorganisms and they generally "interact" with one another, combining their effects in complex, non-additive ways. In this piece, we overview the origins and consequences of these "interactions" between environmental factors and discuss how they have been built into statistical, bottom-up predictive models of microbial function to identify optimal environmental conditions for monocultures and microbial consortia. We also overview alternative "top-down" approaches, such as genetic algorithms, to finding optimal combinations of environmental factors. By providing a brief summary of the state of this field, we hope to stimulate further work on the rational manipulation and optimization of the microbial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Sánchez
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB - CSIC, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, IBFG-CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Andrea Arrabal
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB - CSIC, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, IBFG-CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Magdalena San Román
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB - CSIC, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, IBFG-CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan Díaz-Colunga
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB - CSIC, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica, IBFG-CSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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27
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Franco Meléndez K, Schuster L, Donahey MC, Kairalla E, Jansen MA, Reisch C, Rivers AR. MicroMPN: methods and software for high-throughput screening of microbe suppression in mixed populations. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0357823. [PMID: 38353567 PMCID: PMC10923211 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03578-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Screening assays are used to test if one or more microbes suppress a pathogen of interest. In the presence of more than one microbe, the screening method must be able to accurately distinguish viable pathogen cells from non-viable and non-target microbes in a sample. Current screening methods are time-consuming and require special reagents to detect viability in mixed microbial communities. Screening assays performed using soil or other complex matrices present additional challenges for screening. Here, we develop an experimental workflow based on the most probable number (MPN) assay for testing the ability of synthetic microbial communities to suppress a soil-borne pathogen. Our approach, fluorMPN, uses a fluorescently labeled pathogen and microplate format to enable high-throughput comparative screening. In parallel, we developed a command-line tool, MicroMPN, which significantly reduces the complexity of calculating MPN values from microplates. We compared the performance of the fluorMPN assay with spotting on agar and found that both methods produced strongly correlated counts of equal precision. The suppressive effect of synthetic communities on the pathogen was equally recoverable by both methods. The application of this workflow for discriminating which communities lead to pathogen reduction helps narrow down candidates for additional characterization. Together, the resources offered here are meant to facilitate and simplify the application of MPN-based assays for comparative screening projects.IMPORTANCEWe created a unified set of software and laboratory protocols for screening microbe libraries to assess the suppression of a pathogen in a mixed microbial community. Existing methods of fluorescent labeling were combined with the most probable number (MPN) assay in a microplate format to enumerate the reduction of a pathogenic soil microbe from complex soil matrices. This work provides a fluorescent expression vector available from Addgene, step-by-step laboratory protocols hosted by protocols.io, and MicroMPN, a command-line software for processing plate reader outputs. MicroMPN simplifies MPN estimation from 96- and 384-well microplates. The microplate screening assay is amenable to robotic automation with standard liquid handling robots, further reducing the hands-on processing time. This tool was designed to evaluate synthetic microbial communities for use as microbial inoculates or probiotics. The fluorMPN method is also useful for screening chemical and antimicrobial libraries for pathogen suppression in complex bacterial communities like soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Franco Meléndez
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Layla Schuster
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Melinda Chue Donahey
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Emily Kairalla
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - M. Andrew Jansen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher Reisch
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Adam R. Rivers
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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28
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Darvishi F, Rafatiyan S, Abbaspour Motlagh Moghaddam MH, Atkinson E, Ledesma-Amaro R. Applications of synthetic yeast consortia for the production of native and non-native chemicals. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024; 44:15-30. [PMID: 36130800 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2118569] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The application of microbial consortia is a new approach in synthetic biology. Synthetic yeast consortia, simple or complex synthetic mixed cultures, have been used for the production of various metabolites. Cooperation between the members of a consortium and cross-feeding can be applied to create stable microbial communication. These consortia can: consume a variety of substrates, perform more complex functions, produce metabolites in high titer, rate, and yield (TRY), and show higher stability during industrial fermentations. Due to the new research context of synthetic consortia, few yeasts were used to build these consortia, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, and Yarrowia lipolytica. Here, application of the yeasts for design of synthetic microbial consortia and their advantages and bottlenecks for effective and robust production of valuable metabolites from bioresource, including: cellulose, xylose, glycerol and so on, have been reviewed. Key trends and challenges are also discussed for the future development of synthetic yeast consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farshad Darvishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology (CAMB), Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Rafatiyan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Eliza Atkinson
- Department of Bioengineering and Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
- Department of Bioengineering and Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
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29
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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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Petrushin IS, Filinova NV, Gutnik DI. Potato Microbiome: Relationship with Environmental Factors and Approaches for Microbiome Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:750. [PMID: 38255824 PMCID: PMC10815375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020750] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Every land plant exists in a close relationship with microbial communities of several niches: rhizosphere, endosphere, phyllosphere, etc. The growth and yield of potato-a critical food crop worldwide-highly depend on the diversity and structure of the bacterial and fungal communities with which the potato plant coexists. The potato plant has a specific part, tubers, and the soil near the tubers as a sub-compartment is usually called the "geocaulosphere", which is associated with the storage process and tare soil microbiome. Specific microbes can help the plant to adapt to particular environmental conditions and resist pathogens. There are a number of approaches to modulate the microbiome that provide organisms with desired features during inoculation. The mechanisms of plant-bacterial communication remain understudied, and for further engineering of microbiomes with particular features, the knowledge on the potato microbiome should be summarized. The most recent approaches to microbiome engineering include the construction of a synthetic microbial community or management of the plant microbiome using genome engineering. In this review, the various factors that determine the microbiome of potato and approaches that allow us to mitigate the negative impact of drought and pathogens are surveyed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan S. Petrushin
- Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk 664033, Russia; (N.V.F.); (D.I.G.)
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Kahramanoğulları O. Chemical Reaction Models in Synthetic Promoter Design in Bacteria. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2844:3-31. [PMID: 39068329 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4063-0_1] [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: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
We discuss the formalism of chemical reaction networks (CRNs) as a computer-aided design interface for using formal methods in engineering living technologies. We set out by reviewing formal methods within a broader view of synthetic biology. Based on published results, we illustrate, step by step, how mathematical and computational techniques on CRNs can be used to study the structural and dynamic properties of the designed systems. As a case study, we use an E. coli two-component system that relays the external inorganic phosphate concentration signal to genetic components. We show how CRN models can scan and explore phenotypic regimes of synthetic promoters with varying detection thresholds, thereby providing a means for fine-tuning the promoter strength to match the specification.
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Chew YH, Marucci L. Mechanistic Model-Driven Biodesign in Mammalian Synthetic Biology. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2774:71-84. [PMID: 38441759 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3718-0_6] [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: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Mathematical modeling plays a vital role in mammalian synthetic biology by providing a framework to design and optimize design circuits and engineered bioprocesses, predict their behavior, and guide experimental design. Here, we review recent models used in the literature, considering mathematical frameworks at the molecular, cellular, and system levels. We report key challenges in the field and discuss opportunities for genome-scale models, machine learning, and cybergenetics to expand the capabilities of model-driven mammalian cell biodesign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Hoon Chew
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lucia Marucci
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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Ba F, Zhang Y, Ji X, Liu WQ, Ling S, Li J. Expanding the toolbox of probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 for synthetic biology. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300327. [PMID: 37800393 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300327] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is a probiotic microbe that has the potential to be developed as a promising chassis for synthetic biology applications. However, the molecular tools and techniques for utilizing EcN remain to be further explored. To address this opportunity, the EcN-based toolbox was systematically expanded, enabling EcN as a powerful platform for more applications. First, two EcN cryptic plasmids and other compatible plasmids were genetically engineered to enrich the manipulable plasmid toolbox for multiple gene coexpression. Next, two EcN-based technologies were developed, including the conjugation strategy for DNA transfer, and quantification of protein expression capability. Finally, the EcN-based applications were further expanded by developing EcN native integrase-mediated genetic engineering and establishing an in vitro cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system. Overall, this study expanded the toolbox for manipulating and making full use of EcN as a commonly used probiotic chassis, providing several simplified, dependable, and predictable strategies for researchers working in synthetic biology fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ba
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufei Zhang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyang Ji
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wan-Qiu Liu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengjie Ling
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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Benninghaus L, Schwardmann LS, Jilg T, Wendisch VF. Establishment of synthetic microbial consortia with Corynebacterium glutamicum and Pseudomonas putida: Design, construction, and application to production of γ-glutamylisopropylamide and l-theanine. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14400. [PMID: 38206115 PMCID: PMC10832564 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial synthetic consortia are a promising alternative to classical monoculture for biotechnological applications and fermentative processes. Their versatile use offers advantages in the degradation of complex substrates, the allocation of the metabolic burden between individual partners, or the division of labour in energy utilisation, substrate supply or product formation. Here, stable synthetic consortia between the two industrially relevant production hosts, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC13032, were established for the first time. By applying arginine auxotrophy/overproduction and/or formamidase-based utilisation of the rare nitrogen source formamide, different types of interaction were realised, such as commensal relationships (+/0 and 0/+) and mutualistic cross-feeding (+/+). These consortia did not only show stable growth but could also be used for fermentative production of the γ-glutamylated amines theanine and γ-glutamyl-isopropylamide (GIPA). The consortia produced up to 2.8 g L-1 of GIPA and up to 2.6 g L-1 of theanine, a taste-enhancing constituent of green tea leaves. Thus, the advantageous approach of using synthetic microbial consortia for fermentative production of value-added compounds was successfully demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Benninghaus
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTecBielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
| | - Lynn S. Schwardmann
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTecBielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
- Present address:
Aminoverse B.V.Daelderweg 9Nuth6361 HKthe Netherlands
| | - Tatjana Jilg
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTecBielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
- Present address:
Symrise AGMühlenfeldstraße 1Holzminden37603Germany
| | - Volker F. Wendisch
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and CeBiTecBielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
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Zong DM, Sadeghpour M, Molinari S, Alnahhas RN, Hirning AJ, Giannitsis C, Ott W, Josić K, Bennett MR. Tunable Dynamics in a Multistrain Transcriptional Pulse Generator. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3531-3543. [PMID: 38016068 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00434] [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: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
One challenge in synthetic biology is the tuning of regulatory components within gene circuits to elicit a specific behavior. This challenge becomes more difficult in synthetic microbial consortia since each strain's circuit must function at the intracellular level and their combination must operate at the population level. Here we demonstrate that circuit dynamics can be tuned in synthetic consortia through the manipulation of strain fractions within the community. To do this, we construct a microbial consortium comprised of three strains of engineered Escherichia coli that, when cocultured, use homoserine lactone-mediated intercellular signaling to create a multistrain incoherent type-1 feedforward loop (I1-FFL). Like naturally occurring I1-FFL motifs in gene networks, this engineered microbial consortium acts as a pulse generator of gene expression. We demonstrate that the amplitude of the pulse can be easily tuned by adjusting the relative population fractions of the strains. We also develop a mathematical model for the temporal dynamics of the microbial consortium. This model allows us to identify population fractions that produced desired pulse characteristics, predictions that were confirmed for all but extreme fractions. Our work demonstrates that intercellular gene circuits can be effectively tuned simply by adjusting the starting fractions of each strain in the consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Zong
- Graduate Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Mehdi Sadeghpour
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, United States
| | - Sara Molinari
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Razan N Alnahhas
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Andrew J Hirning
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Charilaos Giannitsis
- Graduate Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - William Ott
- Department of Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, United States
| | - Krešimir Josić
- Department of Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, United States
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, United States
| | - Matthew R Bennett
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Rice Synthetic Biology Institute, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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Cao L, Garcia SL, Wurzbacher C. Establishment of microbial model communities capable of removing trace organic chemicals for biotransformation mechanisms research. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:245. [PMID: 38042813 PMCID: PMC10693053 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02252-6] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Removal of trace organic chemicals (TOrCs) in aquatic environments has been intensively studied. Some members of natural microbial communities play a vital role in transforming chemical contaminants, however, complex microbial interactions impede us from gaining adequate understanding of TOrC biotransformation mechanisms. To simplify, in this study, we propose a strategy of establishing reduced-richness model communities capable of removing diverse TOrCs via pre-adaptation and dilution-to-extinction. RESULTS Microbial communities were adapted from tap water, soil, sand, sediment deep and sediment surface to changing concentrations of 27 TOrCs mixture. After adaptation, the communities were further diluted to reduce diversity into 96 deep well plates for high-throughput cultivation. After characterizing microbial structure and TOrC removal performance, thirty taxonomically non-redundant model communities with different removal abilities were obtained. The pre-adaptation process was found to reduce the microbial richness but to increase the evenness and phylogenetic diversity of resulting model communities. Moreover, phylogenetic diversity showed a positive effect on the number of TOrCs that can be transformed simultaneously. Pre-adaptation also improved the overall TOrC removal rates, which was found to be positively correlated with the growth rates of model communities. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study that investigated a wide range of TOrC biotransformation based on different model communities derived from varying natural microbial systems. This study provides a standardized workflow of establishing model communities for different metabolic purposes with changeable inoculum and substrates. The obtained model communities can be further used to find the driving agents of TOrC biotransformation at the enzyme/gene level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Cao
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Sarahi L Garcia
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine environment (ICBM), University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christian Wurzbacher
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany.
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Guo J, Zhou B, Niu Y, Liu L, Yang L. Engineered probiotics introduced to improve intestinal microecology for the treatment of chronic diseases: present state and perspectives. J Diabetes Metab Disord 2023; 22:1029-1038. [PMID: 37975092 PMCID: PMC10638336 DOI: 10.1007/s40200-023-01279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Correcting intestinal microecological imbalance has become one of the core strategies to treat chronic diseases. Some traditional microecology-based therapies targeting intestine, such as prebiotic therapy, probiotic therapy and fecal microbiota transplantation therapy, have been used in the prevention and treatment of clinical chronic diseases, which still facing low safety and poor controllability problems. The development of synthetic biology technology has promoted the development of intestinal microecology-based therapeutics for chronic diseases, which exhibiting higher robustness and controllability, and become an important part of the next generation of microecological therapy. The purpose of this review is to summarize the application of synthetic biology in intestinal microecology-based therapeutics for chronic diseases. Methods The available literatures were searched to find out experimental studies and relevant review articles on the application of synthetic biology in intestinal microecology-based therapeutics for chronic diseases from year 1990 to 2023. Results Evidence proposed that synthetic biology has been applied in the intestinal microecology-based therapeutics for chronic diseases, covering metabolic diseases (e.g. diabetes, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and phenylketonuria), digestive diseases (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer), and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease). Conclusion This review summarizes the application of synthetic biology in intestinal microecology-based therapeutics for major chronic diseases and discusses the opportunities and challenges in the above process, providing clinical possibilities of synthetic biology technology applied in microecological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianquan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, (Shanxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, PR China
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi PR China
| | - Bangyuan Zhou
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi PR China
| | - Yali Niu
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi PR China
| | - Liangpo Liu
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi PR China
| | - Liyang Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 030619 Jinzhong, PR China
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Ornelas MY, Cournoyer JE, Bram S, Mehta AP. Evolution and synthetic biology. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 76:102394. [PMID: 37801925 PMCID: PMC10842511 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Evolutionary observations have often served as an inspiration for biological design. Decoding of the central dogma of life at a molecular level and understanding of the cellular biochemistry have been elegantly used to engineer various synthetic biology applications, including building genetic circuits in vitro and in cells, building synthetic translational systems, and metabolic engineering in cells to biosynthesize and even bioproduce complex high-value molecules. Here, we review three broad areas of synthetic biology that are inspired by evolutionary observations: (i) combinatorial approaches toward cell-based biomolecular evolution, (ii) engineering interdependencies to establish microbial consortia, and (iii) synthetic immunology. In each of the areas, we will highlight the evolutionary premise that was central toward designing these platforms. These are only a subset of the examples where evolution and natural phenomena directly or indirectly serve as a powerful source of inspiration in shaping synthetic biology and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marya Y Ornelas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Matthews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Jason E Cournoyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Matthews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Stanley Bram
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Matthews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Angad P Mehta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Matthews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, United States; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, United States.
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39
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Arbel-Groissman M, Menuhin-Gruman I, Naki D, Bergman S, Tuller T. Fighting the battle against evolution: designing genetically modified organisms for evolutionary stability. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1518-1531. [PMID: 37442714 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has made significant progress in many areas, but a major challenge that has received limited attention is the evolutionary stability of synthetic constructs made of heterologous genes. The expression of these constructs in microorganisms, that is, production of proteins that are not necessary for the organism, is a metabolic burden, leading to a decrease in relative fitness and make the synthetic constructs unstable over time. This is a significant concern for the synthetic biology community, particularly when it comes to bringing this technology out of the laboratory. In this review, we discuss the issue of evolutionary stability in synthetic biology and review the available tools to address this challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matan Arbel-Groissman
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Itamar Menuhin-Gruman
- School of Mathematical Sciences, The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Doron Naki
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shaked Bergman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Tamir Tuller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.
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Wu D, Wang W, Yao Y, Li H, Wang Q, Niu B. Microbial interactions within beneficial consortia promote soil health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165801. [PMID: 37499809 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
By ecologically interacting with various biotic and abiotic agents acting in soil ecosystems, highly diverse soil microorganisms establish complex and stable assemblages and survive in a community context in natural settings. Besides facilitating soil microbiome to maintain great levels of population homeostasis, such microbial interactions drive soil microbes to function as the major engine of terrestrial biogeochemical cycling. It is verified that the regulative effect of microbe-microbe interplay plays an instrumental role in microbial-mediated promotion of soil health, including bioremediation of soil pollutants and biocontrol of soil-borne phytopathogens, which is considered an environmentally friendly strategy for ensuring the healthy condition of soils. Specifically, in microbial consortia, it has been proven that microorganism-microorganism interactions are involved in enhancing the soil health-promoting effectiveness (i.e., efficacies of pollution reduction and disease inhibition) of the beneficial microbes, here defined as soil health-promoting agents. These microbial interactions can positively regulate the soil health-enhancing effect by supporting those soil health-promoting agents utilized in combination, as multi-strain soil health-promoting agents, to overcome three main obstacles: inadequate soil colonization, insufficient soil contaminant eradication and inefficient soil-borne pathogen suppression, all of which can restrict their probiotic functionality. Yet the mechanisms underlying such beneficial interaction-related adjustments and how to efficiently assemble soil health-enhancing consortia with the guidance of microbe-microbe communications remain incompletely understood. In this review, we focus on bacterial and fungal soil health-promoting agents to summarize current research progress on the utilization of multi-strain soil health-promoting agents in the control of soil pollution and soil-borne plant diseases. We discuss potential microbial interaction-relevant mechanisms deployed by the probiotic microorganisms to upgrade their functions in managing soil health. We emphasize the interplay-related factors that should be taken into account when building soil health-promoting consortia, and propose a workflow for assembling them by employing a reductionist synthetic community approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; The Center for Basic Forestry Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Weixiong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; The Center for Basic Forestry Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yanpo Yao
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, China
| | - Hongtao Li
- Institute of Biotechnology and Food Science, Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050051, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Ben Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; The Center for Basic Forestry Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
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Li X, Gluth A, Feng S, Qian WJ, Yang B. Harnessing redox proteomics to study metabolic regulation and stress response in lignin-fed Rhodococci. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2023; 16:180. [PMID: 37986172 PMCID: PMC10662689 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02424-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhodococci are studied for their bacterial ligninolytic capabilities and proclivity to accumulate lipids. Lignin utilization is a resource intensive process requiring a variety of redox active enzymes and cofactors for degradation as well as defense against the resulting toxic byproducts and oxidative conditions. Studying enzyme expression and regulation between carbon sources will help decode the metabolic rewiring that stymies lignin to lipid conversion in these bacteria. Herein, a redox proteomics approach was applied to investigate a fundamental driver of carbon catabolism and lipid anabolism: redox balance. RESULTS A consortium of Rhodococcus strains was employed in this study given its higher capacity for lignin degradation compared to monocultures. This consortium was grown on glucose vs. lignin under nitrogen limitation to study the importance of redox balance as it relates to nutrient availability. A modified bottom-up proteomics workflow was harnessed to acquire a general relationship between protein abundance and protein redox states. Global proteomics results affirm differential expression of enzymes involved in sugar metabolism vs. those involved in lignin degradation and aromatics metabolism. As reported previously, several enzymes in the lipid biosynthetic pathways were downregulated, whereas many involved in β-oxidation were upregulated. Interestingly, proteins involved in oxidative stress response were also upregulated perhaps in response to lignin degradation and aromatics catabolism, which require oxygen and reactive oxygen species and generate toxic byproducts. Enzymes displaying little-to-no change in abundance but differences in redox state were observed in various pathways for carbon utilization (e.g., β‑ketoadipate pathway), lipid metabolism, as well as nitrogen metabolism (e.g., purine scavenging/synthesis), suggesting potential mechanisms of redox-dependent regulation of metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Efficient lipid production requires a steady carbon and energy flux while balancing fundamental requirements for enzyme production and cell maintenance. For lignin, we theorize that this balance is difficult to establish due to resource expenditure for enzyme production and stress response. This is supported by significant changes to protein abundances and protein cysteine oxidation in various metabolic pathways and redox processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Li
- Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Austin Gluth
- Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Song Feng
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Wei-Jun Qian
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Bin Yang
- Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Richland, WA, 99354, USA.
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA.
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Callaghan MM, Thusoo E, Sharma BD, Getahun F, Stevenson DM, Maranas C, Olson DG, Lynd LR, Amador-Noguez D. Deuterated water as a substrate-agnostic isotope tracer for investigating reversibility and thermodynamics of reactions in central carbon metabolism. Metab Eng 2023; 80:254-266. [PMID: 37923005 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.10.006] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Stable isotope tracers are a powerful tool for the quantitative analysis of microbial metabolism, enabling pathway elucidation, metabolic flux quantification, and assessment of reaction and pathway thermodynamics. 13C and 2H metabolic flux analysis commonly relies on isotopically labeled carbon substrates, such as glucose. However, the use of 2H-labeled nutrient substrates faces limitations due to their high cost and limited availability in comparison to 13C-tracers. Furthermore, isotope tracer studies in industrially relevant bacteria that metabolize complex substrates such as cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignocellulosic biomass, are challenging given the difficulty in obtaining these as isotopically labeled substrates. In this study, we examine the potential of deuterated water (2H2O) as an affordable, substrate-neutral isotope tracer for studying central carbon metabolism. We apply 2H2O labeling to investigate the reversibility of glycolytic reactions across three industrially relevant bacterial species -C. thermocellum, Z. mobilis, and E. coli-harboring distinct glycolytic pathways with unique thermodynamics. We demonstrate that 2H2O labeling recapitulates previous reversibility and thermodynamic findings obtained with established 13C and 2H labeled nutrient substrates. Furthermore, we exemplify the utility of this 2H2O labeling approach by applying it to high-substrate C. thermocellum fermentations -a setting in which the use of conventional tracers is impractical-thereby identifying the glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase as a major bottleneck during high-substrate fermentations and unveiling critical insights that will steer future engineering efforts to enhance ethanol production in this cellulolytic organism. This study demonstrates the utility of deuterated water as a substrate-agnostic isotope tracer for examining flux and reversibility of central carbon metabolic reactions, which yields biological insights comparable to those obtained using costly 2H-labeled nutrient substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie M Callaghan
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Eashant Thusoo
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Bishal D Sharma
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Fitsum Getahun
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David M Stevenson
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Costas Maranas
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Daniel G Olson
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Lee R Lynd
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Daniel Amador-Noguez
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Zhang Z, Chai X, Zhang B, Lu Y, Gao Y, Tariq A, Li X, Zeng F. Potential role of root-associated bacterial communities in adjustments of desert plant physiology to osmotic stress. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 204:108124. [PMID: 37897889 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Plants possess the ability to adapt to osmotic stress by adjusting their physiology and morphology and by cooperating with their root-associated (rhizosphere and endosphere) microbial communities. However, the coordination of host self-regulation with root-associated microorganisms at the community level, especially for desert plants, remains unclear. This study investigated the morphophysiological responses of seedlings from the desert plant Alhagi sparsifolia Shap to osmotic stress, as well as the relationships between these adaptations and their root-associated bacterial communities. The results indicated that osmotic stress contributed to a reduction in height and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). In response, A. sparsifolia exhibited a series of morphophysiological adjustments, including increased ratio of root to shoot biomass (R/S) and the number of root tip, enhanced vitality, high levels of peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione (GSH), as well as osmolytes (proline, soluble protein, and soluble sugar) and modification in phytohormones (abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA)). Additionally, osmotic stress resulted in alterations in the compositions and co-occurrence patterns of root-associated bacterial communities, but not α-diversity (Chao1). Specifically, the rhizosphere Actinobacteria phylum was significantly increased by osmotic stress. These shifts in root-associated bacterial communities were significantly correlated with the host's adaptation to osmotic stress. Overall, the findings revealed that osmotic stress, in addition to its impacts on plant physiology, resulted in a restructuring of root-associated microbial communities and suggested that the concomitant adjustment in plant microbiota may potentially contribute to the survival of desert plants under extreme environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China.
| | - Xutian Chai
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China
| | - Yanju Gao
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Akash Tariq
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China
| | - Xiangyi Li
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fanjiang Zeng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Aminian-Dehkordi J, Rahimi S, Golzar-Ahmadi M, Singh A, Lopez J, Ledesma-Amaro R, Mijakovic I. Synthetic biology tools for environmental protection. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 68:108239. [PMID: 37619824 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108239] [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: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology transforms the way we perceive biological systems. Emerging technologies in this field affect many disciplines of science and engineering. Traditionally, synthetic biology approaches were commonly aimed at developing cost-effective microbial cell factories to produce chemicals from renewable sources. Based on this, the immediate beneficial impact of synthetic biology on the environment came from reducing our oil dependency. However, synthetic biology is starting to play a more direct role in environmental protection. Toxic chemicals released by industries and agriculture endanger the environment, disrupting ecosystem balance and biodiversity loss. This review highlights synthetic biology approaches that can help environmental protection by providing remediation systems capable of sensing and responding to specific pollutants. Remediation strategies based on genetically engineered microbes and plants are discussed. Further, an overview of computational approaches that facilitate the design and application of synthetic biology tools in environmental protection is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shadi Rahimi
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Mehdi Golzar-Ahmadi
- Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Amritpal Singh
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | - Javiera Lopez
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW72AZ, UK
| | | | - Ivan Mijakovic
- Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.
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45
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Chen Z, Jin W, Hoover A, Chao Y, Ma Y. Decoding the microbiome: advances in genetic manipulation for gut bacteria. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:1143-1161. [PMID: 37394299 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the gut microbiota have revealed associations between specific bacterial species or community compositions with health and disease, yet the causal mechanisms underlying microbiota gene-host interactions remain poorly understood. This is partly due to limited genetic manipulation (GM) tools for gut bacteria. Here, we review current advances and challenges in the development of GM approaches, including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas and transposase-based systems in either model or non-model gut bacteria. By overcoming barriers to 'taming' the gut microbiome, GM tools allow molecular understanding of host-microbiome associations and accelerate microbiome engineering for clinical treatment of cancer and metabolic disorders. Finally, we provide perspectives on the future development of GM for gut microbiome species, where more effort should be placed on assembling a generalized GM pipeline to accelerate the application of groundbreaking GM tools in non-model gut bacteria towards both basic understanding and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200031, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; The Center for Microbes, Development and Health (CMDH), CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wenbing Jin
- Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA; Friedman Center for Nutrition and Inflammation, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Alex Hoover
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yanjie Chao
- The Center for Microbes, Development and Health (CMDH), CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Yanlei Ma
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200031, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
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46
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Ting WW, Ng IS. Tunable T7 Promoter Orthogonality on T7RNAP for cis-Aconitate Decarboxylase Evolution via Base Editor and Screening from Itaconic Acid Biosensor. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3020-3029. [PMID: 37750409 PMCID: PMC10595973 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00344] [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: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The deaminase-fused T7 RNA polymerase (T7RNAP) presents a promising toolkit for in vivo target-specific enzyme evolution, offering the unique advantage of simultaneous DNA modification and screening. Previous studies have reported the mutation efficiency of base editors relying on different resources. In contrast, the mechanism underlying the T7RNAP/T7 system is well-understood. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a new platform, termed dT7-Muta, by tuning the binding efficiency between T7RNAP and the T7 promoter for gene mutagenesis. The strategy for proof-of-concept involves alterations in the fluorescence distribution through dT7-Muta and screening of the mutants via flow cytometry. The cis-aconitate decarboxylase from Aspergillus terreus (AtCadA) was evolved and screened via an itaconate-induced biosensor as proof-of-function of enzyme evolution. First, the degenerated codons were designed within the binding and initial region of T7 promoters (dT7s), including upstream (U), central (C), and downstream (D) regions. Three strength variants of dT7 promoter from each design, i.e., strong (S), medium (M), and weak (W), were used for evaluation. Mutation using dT7s of varying strength resulted in a broader fluorescence distribution in sfGFP mutants from the promoters CW and DS. On the other hand, broader fluorescence distribution was observed in the AtCadA mutants from the original promoter T7, UW, and DS, with the highest fluorescence and itaconic acid titer at 860 a.u. and 0.51 g/L, respectively. The present platform introduces a novel aspect of the deaminase-based mutagenesis, emphasizing the potential of altering the binding efficiency between T7RNAP and the T7 promoter for further efforts in enzyme evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Wen Ting
- Department of Chemical
Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - I-Son Ng
- Department of Chemical
Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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47
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Yuan Y, Yang Y, Xiao L, Qu L, Zhang X, Wei Y. Advancing Insights into Probiotics during Vegetable Fermentation. Foods 2023; 12:3789. [PMID: 37893682 PMCID: PMC10606808 DOI: 10.3390/foods12203789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fermented vegetables have a long history and are enjoyed worldwide for their unique flavors and health benefits. The process of fermentation improves the nutritional value, taste, and shelf life of foods. Microorganisms play a crucial role in this process through the production of metabolites. The flavors of fermented vegetables are closely related to the evaluation and succession of microbiota. Lactic acid bacteria (LABs) are typically the dominant bacteria in fermented vegetables, and they help inhibit the growth of spoilage bacteria and maintain a healthy gut microbiota in humans. However, homemade and small-scale artisanal products rely on spontaneous fermentation using bacteria naturally present on fresh vegetables or from aged brine, which may introduce external microorganisms and lead to spoilage and substandard products. Hence, understanding the role of LABs and other probiotics in maintaining the quality and safety of fermented vegetables is essential. Additionally, selecting probiotic fermentation microbiota and isolating beneficial probiotics from fermented vegetables can facilitate the use of safe and healthy starter cultures for large-scale industrial production. This review provides insights into the traditional fermentation process of making fermented vegetables, explains the mechanisms involved, and discusses the use of modern microbiome technologies to regulate fermentation microorganisms and create probiotic fermentation microbiota for the production of highly effective, wholesome, safe, and healthy fermented vegetable foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzi Yuan
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China (L.X.)
| | - Yutong Yang
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China (L.X.)
| | - Lele Xiao
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China (L.X.)
| | - Lingbo Qu
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China (L.X.)
- Food Laboratory of Zhongyuan, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Food Laboratory of Zhongyuan, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yongjun Wei
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China (L.X.)
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Yuan J, Zhao K, Tan X, Xue R, Zeng Y, Ratti C, Trivedi P. Perspective on the development of synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1227-1236. [PMID: 37183053 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.04.007] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors are a promising technology for detecting and responding to environmental cues and target molecules. SynCom biosensors use engineered microorganisms to create a more complex and diverse sensing system, enabling them to respond to stimuli with enhanced sensitivity and accuracy. Here, we give a definition of SynCom biosensors, outline their construction workflow, and discuss current biosensing technology. We also highlight the challenges and future for developing and optimizing SynCom biosensors and the potential applications in agriculture and food management, biotherapeutic development, home sensing, urban and environmental monitoring, and the One Health foundation. We believe SynCom biosensors could be used in a real-time and remote-controlled manner to sense the chaos of constantly dynamic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yuan
- Microbiome Network and Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA; Senseable City Lab, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Kankan Zhao
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiangfeng Tan
- Institute of Digital Agriculture, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310021, China
| | - Ran Xue
- Hangzhou Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, China
| | - Yuan Zeng
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech, Blackstone, VA 23824, USA
| | - Carlo Ratti
- Senseable City Lab, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Pankaj Trivedi
- Microbiome Network and Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA
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Zhu J, Wang B, Zhang Y, Wei T, Gao T. Living electrochemical biosensing: Engineered electroactive bacteria for biosensor development and the emerging trends. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 237:115480. [PMID: 37379794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectrical interfaces made of living electroactive bacteria (EAB) provide a unique opportunity to bridge biotic and abiotic systems, enabling the reprogramming of electrochemical biosensing. To develop these biosensors, principles from synthetic biology and electrode materials are being combined to engineer EAB as dynamic and responsive transducers with emerging, programmable functionalities. This review discusses the bioengineering of EAB to design active sensing parts and electrically connective interfaces on electrodes, which can be applied to construct smart electrochemical biosensors. In detail, by revisiting the electron transfer mechanism of electroactive microorganisms, engineering strategies of EAB cells for biotargets recognition, sensing circuit construction, and electrical signal routing, engineered EAB have demonstrated impressive capabilities in designing active sensing elements and developing electrically conductive interfaces on electrodes. Thus, integration of engineered EAB into electrochemical biosensors presents a promising avenue for advancing bioelectronics research. These hybridized systems equipped with engineered EAB can promote the field of electrochemical biosensing, with applications in environmental monitoring, health monitoring, green manufacturing, and other analytical fields. Finally, this review considers the prospects and challenges of the development of EAB-based electrochemical biosensors, identifying potential future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Baoguo Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Tianxiang Wei
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Tao Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
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50
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Wu X, Zhao Z, Zhao Z, Zhang Y, Li M, Yu Q. Analysis of the Potassium-Solubilizing Priestia megaterium Strain NK851 and Its Potassium Feldspar-Binding Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14226. [PMID: 37762528 PMCID: PMC10531590 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814226] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Potassium-solubilizing bacteria are an important microbial group that play a critical role in releasing mineral potassium from potassium-containing minerals, e.g., potassium feldspar. Their application may reduce eutrophication caused by overused potassium fertilizers and facilitate plants to utilize environmental potassium. In this study, a high-efficiency potassium-solubilizing bacterium, named NK851, was isolated from the Astragalus sinicus rhizosphere soil. This bacterium can grow in the medium with potassium feldspar as the sole potassium source, releasing 157 mg/L and 222 mg/L potassium after 3 days and 5 days of incubation, respectively. 16S rDNA sequencing and cluster analysis showed that this strain belongs to Priestia megaterium. Genome sequencing further revealed that this strain has a genome length of 5,305,142 bp, encoding 5473 genes. Among them, abundant genes are related to potassium decomposition and utilization, e.g., the genes involved in adherence to mineral potassium, potassium release, and intracellular trafficking. Moreover, the strong potassium-releasing capacity of NK851 is not attributed to the acidic pH but is attributed to the extracellular potassium feldspar-binding proteins, such as the elongation factor TU and the enolase that contains potassium feldspar-binding cavities. This study provides new information for exploration of the bacterium-mediated potassium solubilization mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (X.W.); (Z.Z.); (Z.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Zijian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (X.W.); (Z.Z.); (Z.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Zirun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (X.W.); (Z.Z.); (Z.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Youjun Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
| | - Mingchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (X.W.); (Z.Z.); (Z.Z.); (M.L.)
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; (X.W.); (Z.Z.); (Z.Z.); (M.L.)
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