1
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Clark L, Voigt CA, Jewett MC. Establishing a High-Yield Chloroplast Cell-Free System for Prototyping Genetic Parts. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:2402-2411. [PMID: 39023433 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00111] [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: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Plastid engineering offers the potential to carry multigene traits in plants; however, it requires reliable genetic parts to balance expression. The difficulty of chloroplast transformation and slow plant growth makes it challenging to build plants just to characterize genetic parts. To address these limitations, we developed a high-yield cell-free system from Nicotiana tabacum chloroplast extracts for prototyping genetic parts. Our cell-free system uses combined transcription and translation driven by T7 RNA polymerase and works with plasmid or linear template DNA. To develop our system, we optimized lysis, extract preparation procedures (e.g., runoff reaction, centrifugation, and dialysis), and the physiochemical reaction conditions. Our cell-free system can synthesize 34 ± 1 μg/mL luciferase in batch reactions and 60 ± 4 μg/mL in semicontinuous reactions. We apply our batch reaction system to test a library of 103 ribosome binding site (RBS) variants and rank them based on cell-free gene expression. We observe a 1300-fold dynamic range of luciferase expression when normalized by maximum mRNA expression, as assessed by the malachite green aptamer. We also find that the observed normalized gene expression in chloroplast extracts and the predictions made by the RBS Calculator are correlated. We anticipate that chloroplast cell-free systems will increase the speed and reliability of building genetic systems in plant chloroplasts for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Clark
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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2
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Böhm C, Inckemann R, Burgis M, Baumann J, Brinkmann CK, Lipinska KE, Gilles S, Freudigmann J, Seiler VN, Clark LG, Jewett MC, Voll LM, Niederholtmeyer H. Chloroplast Cell-Free Systems from Different Plant Species as a Rapid Prototyping Platform. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:2412-2424. [PMID: 39028299 PMCID: PMC11334176 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00117] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Climate change poses a significant threat to global agriculture, necessitating innovative solutions. Plant synthetic biology, particularly chloroplast engineering, holds promise as a viable approach to this challenge. Chloroplasts present a variety of advantageous traits for genetic engineering, but the development of genetic tools and genetic part characterization in these organelles is hindered by the lengthy time scales required to generate transplastomic organisms. To address these challenges, we have established a versatile protocol for generating highly active chloroplast-based cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems derived from a diverse range of plant species, including wheat (monocot), spinach, and poplar trees (dicots). We show that these systems work with conventionally used T7 RNA polymerase as well as the endogenous chloroplast polymerases, allowing for detailed characterization and prototyping of regulatory sequences at both transcription and translation levels. To demonstrate the platform for characterization of promoters and 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) in higher plant chloroplast gene expression, we analyze a collection of 23 5'UTRs, 10 3'UTRs, and 6 chloroplast promoters, assessed their expression in spinach and wheat extracts, and found consistency in expression patterns, suggesting cross-species compatibility. Looking forward, our chloroplast CFE systems open new avenues for plant synthetic biology, offering prototyping tools for both understanding gene expression and developing engineered plants, which could help meet the demands of a changing global climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens
V. Böhm
- Max-Planck
Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - René Inckemann
- Max-Planck
Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Burgis
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Baumann
- Molecular
Plant Physiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Katarzyna E. Lipinska
- Max-Planck
Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sara Gilles
- Max-Planck
Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Freudigmann
- Molecular
Plant Physiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Vinca N. Seiler
- Molecular
Plant Physiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lauren G. Clark
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Lars M. Voll
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Molecular
Plant Physiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Henrike Niederholtmeyer
- Max-Planck
Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Center
for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität
Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Technical
University of Munich, Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, 94315 Straubing, Germany
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3
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Zhao Y, Wang S. Experimental and biophysical modeling of transcription and translation dynamics in bacterial- and mammalian-based cell-free expression systems. SLAS Technol 2024; 29:100036. [PMID: 35231628 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2022.02.001] [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: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell-free expression (CFE) systems have been used extensively in systems and synthetic biology as a promising platform for manufacturing proteins and chemicals. Currently, the most widely used CFE system is in vitro protein transcription and translation platform. As the rapidly increased applications and uses, it is crucial to have a standard biophysical model for quantitative studies of gene circuits, which will provide a fundamental understanding of basic working mechanisms of CFE systems. Current modeling approaches mainly focus on the characterization of E. coli-based CFE systems, a computational model that can be utilized for both bacterial- and mammalian-based CFE has not been investigated. Here, we developed a simple ODE (ordinary differential equation)-based biophysical model to simulate transcription and translation dynamics for both bacterial- and mammalian- based CFE systems. The key parameters were estimated and adjusted based on experimental results. We next tested four gene circuits to characterize kinetic dynamics of transcription and translation in E. coli- and HeLa-based CFE systems. The real-time transcription and translation were monitored using Broccoli aptamer, double stranded locked nucleic acid (dsLNA) probe and fluorescent protein. We demonstrated the difference of kinetic dynamics for transcription and translation in both systems, which will provide valuable information for quantitative genomic and proteomic studies. This simple biophysical model and the experimental data for both E. coli- and HeLa-based CFE will be useful for researchers that are interested in genetic engineering and CFE bio-manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Tagliatela College of Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, United States
| | - Shue Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Tagliatela College of Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, United States.
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4
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Zhang Y, Takaki Y, Yoshida-Takashima Y, Hiraoka S, Kurosawa K, Nunoura T, Takai K. A sequential one-pot approach for rapid and convenient characterization of putative restriction-modification systems. mSystems 2023; 8:e0081723. [PMID: 37843256 PMCID: PMC10734518 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00817-23] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The elucidation of the molecular basis of virus-host coevolutionary interactions is boosted with state-of-the-art sequencing technologies. However, the sequence-only information is often insufficient to output a conclusive argument without biochemical characterizations. We proposed a 1-day and one-pot approach to confirm the exact function of putative restriction-modification (R-M) genes that presumably mediate microbial coevolution. The experiments mainly focused on a series of putative R-M enzymes from a deep-sea virus and its host bacterium. The results quickly unveiled unambiguous substrate specificities, superior catalytic performance, and unique sequence preferences for two new restriction enzymes (capable of cleaving DNA) and two new methyltransferases (capable of modifying DNA with methyl groups). The reality of the functional R-M system reinforced a model of mutually beneficial interactions with the virus in the deep-sea microbial ecosystem. The cell culture-independent approach also holds great potential for exploring novel and biotechnologically significant R-M enzymes from microbial dark matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- SUGAR Program, X-star, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Takaki
- SUGAR Program, X-star, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Yukari Yoshida-Takashima
- SUGAR Program, X-star, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hiraoka
- Research Center for Bioscience and Nanoscience (CeBN), MRU, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Kanako Kurosawa
- SUGAR Program, X-star, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Takuro Nunoura
- Research Center for Bioscience and Nanoscience (CeBN), MRU, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Ken Takai
- SUGAR Program, X-star, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
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5
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Maharjan A, Park JH. Cell-free protein synthesis system: A new frontier for sustainable biotechnology-based products. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2023; 70:2136-2149. [PMID: 37735977 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2514] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system is an innovative technology with a wide range of potential applications that could challenge current thinking and provide solutions to environmental and health issues. CFPS system has been demonstrated to be a successful way of producing biomolecules in a variety of applications, including the biomedical industry. Although there are still obstacles to overcome, its ease of use, versatility, and capacity for integration with other technologies open the door for it to continue serving as a vital instrument in synthetic biology research and industry. In this review, we mainly focus on the cell-free based platform for various product productions. Moreover, the challenges in the bio-therapeutic aspect using cell-free systems and their future prospective for the improvement and sustainability of the cell free systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoth Maharjan
- Bio-Evaluation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Ho Park
- Bio-Evaluation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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6
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Kelwick RJR, Webb AJ, Heliot A, Segura CT, Freemont PS. Opportunities to accelerate extracellular vesicle research with cell-free synthetic biology. JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 2:e90. [PMID: 38938277 PMCID: PMC11080881 DOI: 10.1002/jex2.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-membrane nanoparticles that are shed or secreted by many different cell types. The EV research community has rapidly expanded in recent years and is leading efforts to deepen our understanding of EV biological functions in human physiology and pathology. These insights are also providing a foundation on which future EV-based diagnostics and therapeutics are poised to positively impact human health. However, current limitations in our understanding of EV heterogeneity, cargo loading mechanisms and the nascent development of EV metrology are all areas that have been identified as important scientific challenges. The field of synthetic biology is also contending with the challenge of understanding biological complexity as it seeks to combine multidisciplinary scientific knowledge with engineering principles, to build useful and robust biotechnologies in a responsible manner. Within this context, cell-free systems have emerged as a powerful suite of in vitro biotechnologies that can be employed to interrogate fundamental biological mechanisms, including the study of aspects of EV biogenesis, or to act as a platform technology for medical biosensors and therapeutic biomanufacturing. Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems also enable in vitro protein production, including membrane proteins, and could conceivably be exploited to rationally engineer, or manufacture, EVs loaded with bespoke molecular cargoes for use in foundational or translational EV research. Our pilot data herein, also demonstrates the feasibility of cell-free EV engineering. In this perspective, we discuss the opportunities and challenges for accelerating EV research and healthcare applications with cell-free synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. R. Kelwick
- Section of Structural and Synthetic BiologyDepartment of Infectious DiseaseImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Alexander J. Webb
- Section of Structural and Synthetic BiologyDepartment of Infectious DiseaseImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Amelie Heliot
- Section of Structural and Synthetic BiologyDepartment of Infectious DiseaseImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Paul S. Freemont
- Section of Structural and Synthetic BiologyDepartment of Infectious DiseaseImperial College LondonLondonUK
- The London BiofoundryImperial College Translation & Innovation HubLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology CentreImperial College London, Hammersmith CampusLondonUK
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7
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Deich C, Cash B, Sato W, Sharon J, Aufdembrink L, Gaut NJ, Heili J, Stokes K, Engelhart AE, Adamala KP. T7Max transcription system. J Biol Eng 2023; 17:4. [PMID: 36691081 PMCID: PMC9872363 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00323-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efficient cell-free protein expression from linear DNA templates has remained a challenge primarily due to template degradation. In addition, the yields of transcription in cell-free systems lag behind transcriptional efficiency of live cells. Most commonly used in vitro translation systems utilize T7 RNA polymerase, which is also the enzyme included in many commercial kits. RESULTS Here we present characterization of a variant of T7 RNA polymerase promoter that acts to significantly increase the yields of gene expression within in vitro systems. We have demonstrated that T7Max increases the yield of translation in many types of commonly used in vitro protein expression systems. We also demonstrated increased protein expression yields from linear templates, allowing the use of T7Max driven expression from linear templates. CONCLUSIONS The modified promoter, termed T7Max, recruits standard T7 RNA polymerase, so no protein engineering is needed to take advantage of this method. This technique could be used with any T7 RNA polymerase- based in vitro protein expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Deich
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Brock Cash
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Wakana Sato
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Judee Sharon
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lauren Aufdembrink
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Gaut
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Joseph Heili
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kaitlin Stokes
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Aaron E Engelhart
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Katarzyna P Adamala
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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8
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Nagappa LK, Sato W, Alam F, Chengan K, Smales CM, Von Der Haar T, Polizzi KM, Adamala KP, Moore SJ. A ubiquitous amino acid source for prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-free transcription-translation systems. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:992708. [PMID: 36185432 PMCID: PMC9524191 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.992708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems are an attractive tool for engineering within synthetic biology and for industrial production of high-value recombinant proteins. CFE reactions require a cell extract, energy system, amino acids, and DNA, to catalyse mRNA transcription and protein synthesis. To provide an amino acid source, CFE systems typically use a commercial standard, which is often proprietary. Herein we show that a range of common microbiology rich media (i.e., tryptone, peptone, yeast extract and casamino acids) unexpectedly provide an effective and low-cost amino acid source. We show that this approach is generalisable, by comparing batch variability and protein production in the following range of CFE systems: Escherichia coli (Rosetta™ 2 (DE3), BL21(DE3)), Streptomyces venezuelae and Pichia pastoris. In all CFE systems, we show equivalent or increased protein synthesis capacity upon replacement of the commercial amino acid source. In conclusion, we suggest rich microbiology media provides a new amino acid source for CFE systems with potential broad use in synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wakana Sato
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Farzana Alam
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Karen M Polizzi
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna P Adamala
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Simon J Moore
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
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9
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Romantseva E, Alperovich N, Ross D, Lund SP, Strychalski EA. Effects of DNA template preparation on variability in cell-free protein production. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2022; 7:ysac015. [PMID: 36046152 PMCID: PMC9425043 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA templates for protein production remain an unexplored source of variability in the performance of cell-free expression (CFE) systems. To characterize this variability, we investigated the effects of two common DNA extraction methodologies, a postprocessing step and manual versus automated preparation on protein production using CFE. We assess the concentration of the DNA template, the quality of the DNA template in terms of physical damage and the quality of the DNA solution in terms of purity resulting from eight DNA preparation workflows. We measure the variance in protein titer and rate of protein production in CFE reactions associated with the biological replicate of the DNA template, the technical replicate DNA solution prepared with the same workflow and the measurement replicate of nominally identical CFE reactions. We offer practical guidance for preparing and characterizing DNA templates to achieve acceptable variability in CFE performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nina Alperovich
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD USA
| | - David Ross
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD USA
| | - Steven P Lund
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD USA
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10
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Rhea KA, McDonald ND, Cole SD, Noireaux V, Lux MW, Buckley PE. Variability in cell-free expression reactions can impact qualitative genetic circuit characterization. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2022; 7:ysac011. [PMID: 35966404 PMCID: PMC9365049 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-free expression systems provide a suite of tools that are used in applications from sensing to biomanufacturing. One of these applications is genetic circuit prototyping, where the lack of cloning is required and a high degree of control over reaction components and conditions enables rapid testing of design candidates. Many studies have shown utility in the approach for characterizing genetic regulation elements, simple genetic circuit motifs, protein variants or metabolic pathways. However, variability in cell-free expression systems is a known challenge, whether between individuals, laboratories, instruments, or batches of materials. While the issue of variability has begun to be quantified and explored, little effort has been put into understanding the implications of this variability. For genetic circuit prototyping, it is unclear when and how significantly variability in reaction activity will impact qualitative assessments of genetic components, e.g. relative activity between promoters. Here, we explore this question by assessing DNA titrations of seven genetic circuits of increasing complexity using reaction conditions that ostensibly follow the same protocol but vary by person, instrument and material batch. Although the raw activities vary widely between the conditions, by normalizing within each circuit across conditions, reasonably consistent qualitative performance emerges for the simpler circuits. For the most complex case involving expression of three proteins, we observe a departure from this qualitative consistency, offering a provisional cautionary line where normal variability may disrupt reliable reuse of prototyping results. Our results also suggest that a previously described closed loop controller circuit may help to mitigate such variability, encouraging further work to design systems that are robust to variability. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Rhea
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Nathan D McDonald
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie D Cole
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Vincent Noireaux
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matthew W Lux
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| | - Patricia E Buckley
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
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11
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Batista AC, Levrier A, Soudier P, Voyvodic PL, Achmedov T, Reif-Trauttmansdorff T, DeVisch A, Cohen-Gonsaud M, Faulon JL, Beisel CL, Bonnet J, Kushwaha M. Differentially Optimized Cell-Free Buffer Enables Robust Expression from Unprotected Linear DNA in Exonuclease-Deficient Extracts. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:732-746. [PMID: 35034449 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of linear DNA templates in cell-free systems promises to accelerate the prototyping and engineering of synthetic gene circuits. A key challenge is that linear templates are rapidly degraded by exonucleases present in cell extracts. Current approaches tackle the problem by adding exonuclease inhibitors and DNA-binding proteins to protect the linear DNA, requiring additional time- and resource-intensive steps. Here, we delete the recBCD exonuclease gene cluster from the Escherichia coli BL21 genome. We show that the resulting cell-free systems, with buffers optimized specifically for linear DNA, enable near-plasmid levels of expression from σ70 promoters in linear DNA templates without employing additional protection strategies. When using linear or plasmid DNA templates at the buffer calibration step, the optimal potassium glutamate concentrations obtained when using linear DNA were consistently lower than those obtained when using plasmid DNA for the same extract. We demonstrate the robustness of the exonuclease deficient extracts across seven different batches and a wide range of experimental conditions across two different laboratories. Finally, we illustrate the use of the ΔrecBCD extracts for two applications: toehold switch characterization and enzyme screening. Our work provides a simple, efficient, and cost-effective solution for using linear DNA templates in cell-free systems and highlights the importance of specifically tailoring buffer composition for the final experimental setup. Our data also suggest that similar exonuclease deletion strategies can be applied to other species suitable for cell-free synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Cardoso Batista
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAe, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Antoine Levrier
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM U1054, CNRS UMR 5048, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Paul Soudier
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAe, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM U1054, CNRS UMR 5048, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Peter L. Voyvodic
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM U1054, CNRS UMR 5048, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Tatjana Achmedov
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Angelique DeVisch
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM U1054, CNRS UMR 5048, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Martin Cohen-Gonsaud
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM U1054, CNRS UMR 5048, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Loup Faulon
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAe, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Chase L. Beisel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jerome Bonnet
- Centre de Biochimie Structurale, INSERM U1054, CNRS UMR 5048, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Manish Kushwaha
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAe, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France
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12
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James JS, Jones S, Martella A, Luo Y, Fisher DI, Cai Y. Automation and Expansion of EMMA Assembly for Fast-Tracking Mammalian System Engineering. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:587-595. [PMID: 35061373 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With applications from functional genomics to the production of therapeutic biologics, libraries of mammalian expression vectors have become a cornerstone of modern biological investigation and engineering. Multiple modular vector platforms facilitate the rapid design and assembly of vectors. However, such systems approach a technical bottleneck when a library of bespoke vectors is required. Utilizing the flexibility and robustness of the Extensible Mammalian Modular Assembly (EMMA) toolkit, we present an automated workflow for the library-scale design, assembly, and verification of mammalian expression vectors. Vector design is simplified using our EMMA computer-aided design tool (EMMA-CAD), while the precision and speed of acoustic droplet ejection technology are applied in vector assembly. Our pipeline facilitates significant reductions in both reagent usage and researcher hands-on time compared with manual assembly, as shown by system Q-metrics. To demonstrate automated EMMA performance, we compiled a library of 48 distinct plasmid vectors encoding either CRISPR interference or activation modalities. Characterization of the workflow parameters shows that high assembly efficiency is maintained across vectors of various sizes and design complexities. Our system also performs strongly compared with manual assembly efficiency benchmarks. Alongside our automated pipeline, we present a straightforward strategy for integrating gRNA and Cas modules into the EMMA platform, enabling the design and manufacture of valuable genome editing resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S James
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Sally Jones
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UH, U.K
| | - Andrea Martella
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Yisha Luo
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - David I Fisher
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Yizhi Cai
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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13
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Monck C, Elani Y, Ceroni F. Cell-free protein synthesis: biomedical applications and future perspectives. Chem Eng Res Des 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2021.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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14
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Dudley QM, Cai YM, Kallam K, Debreyne H, Carrasco Lopez JA, Patron NJ. Biofoundry-assisted expression and characterization of plant proteins. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2021; 6:ysab029. [PMID: 34693026 PMCID: PMC8529701 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many goals in synthetic biology, including the elucidation and refactoring of biosynthetic pathways and the engineering of regulatory circuits and networks, require knowledge of protein function. In plants, the prevalence of large gene families means it can be particularly challenging to link specific functions to individual proteins. However, protein characterization has remained a technical bottleneck, often requiring significant effort to optimize expression and purification protocols. To leverage the ability of biofoundries to accelerate design-built-test-learn cycles, we present a workflow for automated DNA assembly and cell-free expression of plant proteins that accelerates optimization and enables rapid screening of enzyme activity. First, we developed a phytobrick-compatible Golden Gate DNA assembly toolbox containing plasmid acceptors for cell-free expression using Escherichia coli or wheat germ lysates as well as a set of N- and C-terminal tag parts for detection, purification and improved expression/folding. We next optimized automated assembly of miniaturized cell-free reactions using an acoustic liquid handling platform and then compared tag configurations to identify those that increase expression. We additionally developed a luciferase-based system for rapid quantification that requires a minimal 11-amino acid tag and demonstrate facile removal of tags following synthesis. Finally, we show that several functional assays can be performed with cell-free protein synthesis reactions without the need for protein purification. Together, the combination of automated assembly of DNA parts and cell-free expression reactions should significantly increase the throughput of experiments to test and understand plant protein function and enable the direct reuse of DNA parts in downstream plant engineering workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin M Dudley
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
| | - Yao-Min Cai
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
| | - Kalyani Kallam
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
| | - Hubert Debreyne
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
| | | | - Nicola J Patron
- Engineering Biology, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk UK
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15
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Fukunaga K, Yokobayashi Y. Directed evolution of orthogonal RNA-RBP pairs through library-vs-library in vitro selection. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:601-616. [PMID: 34219162 PMCID: PMC8789040 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and their RNA ligands play many critical roles in gene regulation and RNA processing in cells. They are also useful for various applications in cell biology and synthetic biology. However, re-engineering novel and orthogonal RNA-RBP pairs from natural components remains challenging while such synthetic RNA-RBP pairs could significantly expand the RNA-RBP toolbox for various applications. Here, we report a novel library-vs-library in vitro selection strategy based on Phage Display coupled with Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (PD-SELEX). Starting with pools of 1.1 × 1012 unique RNA sequences and 4.0 × 108 unique phage-displayed L7Ae-scaffold (LS) proteins, we selected RNA-RBP complexes through a two-step affinity purification process. After six rounds of library-vs-library selection, the selected RNAs and LS proteins were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Further deconvolution of the enriched RNA and LS protein sequences revealed two synthetic and orthogonal RNA-RBP pairs that exhibit picomolar affinity and >4000-fold selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Fukunaga
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904 0495, Japan
| | - Yohei Yokobayashi
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904 0495, Japan
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16
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Shi K, Cao L, Liu F, Xie S, Wang S, Huang Y, Lei C, Nie Z. Amplified and label-free electrochemical detection of a protease biomarker by integrating proteolysis-triggered transcription. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 190:113372. [PMID: 34116447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Cell-free synthetic biology provides a promising strategy for developing high-performance biosensors by integrating with advanced testing technologies. However, the combination of synthetic biology with electrochemical testing techniques is still underdeveloped. Here, we proposed an electrochemical biosensor for the label-free and ultrasensitive detection of target protease biomarker by coupling a protease-responsive RNA polymerase (PR) for signal amplification. Taking tumor biomarker matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) as a model protease, we employed PR to transduce each proteolysis reaction mediated by MMP-2 into multiple programmable RNA outputs that can be captured by the DNA probes immobilized on a gold electrode. Moreover, the captured RNAs are designed to contain a guanine-rich sequence that can form G-quadruplex and bind to hemin in the presence of potassium ions. In this scenario, the activity of MMP-2 is converted and amplified into the electrochemical signals of hemin. Under the optimal conditions, this PR-based electrochemical biosensor enabled the sensitive detection of MMP-2 in a wide linear dynamic range from 10 fM to 1.0 nM, with a limit of detection of 7.1 fM. Moreover, the proposed biosensor was further applied in evaluating MMP-2 activities in different cell cultures and human tissue samples, demonstrating its potential in the analysis of protease biomarkers in complex clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Lei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Shiyi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Yan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Chunyang Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China.
| | - Zhou Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
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17
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Blum SM, Lee MS, Mgboji GE, Funk VL, Beabout K, Harbaugh SV, Roth PA, Liem AT, Miklos AE, Emanuel PA, Walper SA, Chávez JL, Lux MW. Impact of Porous Matrices and Concentration by Lyophilization on Cell-Free Expression. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:1116-1131. [PMID: 33843211 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell-free expression systems have drawn increasing attention as a tool to achieve complex biological functions outside of the cell. Several applications of the technology involve the delivery of functionality to challenging environments, such as field-forward diagnostics or point-of-need manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. To achieve these goals, cell-free reaction components are preserved using encapsulation or lyophilization methods, both of which often involve an embedding of components in porous matrices like paper or hydrogels. Previous work has shown a range of impacts of porous materials on cell-free expression reactions. Here, we explored a panel of 32 paperlike materials and 5 hydrogel materials for the impact on reaction performance. The screen included a tolerance to lyophilization for reaction systems based on both cell lysates and purified expression components. For paperlike materials, we found that (1) materials based on synthetic polymers were mostly incompatible with cell-free expression, (2) lysate-based reactions were largely insensitive to the matrix for cellulosic and microfiber materials, and (3) purified systems had an improved performance when lyophilized in cellulosic but not microfiber matrices. The impact of hydrogel materials ranged from completely inhibitory to a slight enhancement. The exploration of modulating the rehydration volume of lyophilized reactions yielded reaction speed increases using an enzymatic colorimetric reporter of up to twofold with an optimal ratio of 2:1 lyophilized reaction to rehydration volume for the lysate system and 1.5:1 for the purified system. The effect was independent of the matrices assessed. Testing with a fluorescent nonenzymatic reporter and no matrix showed similar improvements in both yields and reaction speeds for the lysate system and yields but not reaction speeds for the purified system. We finally used these observations to show an improved performance of two sensors that span reaction types, matrix, and reporters. In total, these results should enhance efforts to develop field-forward applications of cell-free expression systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M. Blum
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Marilyn S. Lee
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Glory E. Mgboji
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830-6209, United States
| | - Vanessa L. Funk
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Kathryn Beabout
- UES, Inc., Dayton, Ohio 45432, United States
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Svetlana V. Harbaugh
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Pierce A. Roth
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
- DCS Corporation, 4696 Millenium Drive, Suite 450, Belcamp, Maryland 21017, United States
| | - Alvin T. Liem
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
- DCS Corporation, 4696 Millenium Drive, Suite 450, Belcamp, Maryland 21017, United States
| | - Aleksandr E. Miklos
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Peter A. Emanuel
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Scott A. Walper
- Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, United States
| | - Jorge Luis Chávez
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Matthew W. Lux
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. 8198 Blackhawk Road, APG, Aberdeen, Maryland 21010, United States
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18
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Li ES, Saha MS. Optimizing Calcium Detection Methods in Animal Systems: A Sandbox for Synthetic Biology. Biomolecules 2021; 11:343. [PMID: 33668387 PMCID: PMC7996158 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the 1970s, the emergence and expansion of novel methods for calcium ion (Ca2+) detection have found diverse applications in vitro and in vivo across a series of model animal systems. Matched with advances in fluorescence imaging techniques, the improvements in the functional range and stability of various calcium indicators have significantly enhanced more accurate study of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and its effects on cell signaling, growth, differentiation, and regulation. Nonetheless, the current limitations broadly presented by organic calcium dyes, genetically encoded calcium indicators, and calcium-responsive nanoparticles suggest a potential path toward more rapid optimization by taking advantage of a synthetic biology approach. This engineering-oriented discipline applies principles of modularity and standardization to redesign and interrogate endogenous biological systems. This review will elucidate how novel synthetic biology technologies constructed for eukaryotic systems can offer a promising toolkit for interfacing with calcium signaling and overcoming barriers in order to accelerate the process of Ca2+ detection optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margaret S. Saha
- Department of Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA;
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19
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Yáñez Feliú G, Earle Gómez B, Codoceo Berrocal V, Muñoz Silva M, Nuñez IN, Matute TF, Arce Medina A, Vidal G, Vitalis C, Dahlin J, Federici F, Rudge TJ. Flapjack: Data Management and Analysis for Genetic Circuit Characterization. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:183-191. [PMID: 33382586 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Characterization is fundamental to the design, build, test, learn (DBTL) cycle for engineering synthetic genetic circuits. Components must be described in such a way as to account for their behavior in a range of contexts. Measurements and associated metadata, including part composition, constitute the test phase of the DBTL cycle. These data may consist of measurements of thousands of circuits, measured in hundreds of conditions, in multiple assays potentially performed in different laboratories and using different techniques. In order to inform the learn phase this large volume of data must be filtered, collated, and analyzed. Characterization consists of using this data to parametrize models of component function in different contexts, and combining them to predict behaviors of novel circuits. Tools to store, organize, share, and analyze large volumes of measurement and metadata are therefore essential to linking the test phase to the build and learn phases, closing the loop of the DBTL cycle. Here we present such a system, implemented as a web app with a backend data registry and analysis engine. An interactive frontend provides powerful querying, plotting, and analysis tools, and we provide a REST API and Python package for full integration with external build and learn software. All measurements are associated with circuit part composition via SBOL (Synthetic Biology Open Language). We demonstrate our tool by characterizing a range of genetic components and circuits according to composition and context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Yáñez Feliú
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
| | - Benjamín Earle Gómez
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
| | - Verner Codoceo Berrocal
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
| | - Macarena Muñoz Silva
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
| | - Isaac N Nuñez
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330005, Chile
| | - Tamara F Matute
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330005, Chile
| | - Anibal Arce Medina
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330005, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330005, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Vidal
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
| | - Carlos Vitalis
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
| | - Jonathan Dahlin
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Fernán Federici
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330005, Chile
- FONDAP, Center for Genome Regulation, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330005, Chile
| | - Timothy J Rudge
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
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20
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Young R, Haines M, Storch M, Freemont PS. Combinatorial metabolic pathway assembly approaches and toolkits for modular assembly. Metab Eng 2020; 63:81-101. [PMID: 33301873 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic Biology is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field that is primarily built upon foundational advances in molecular biology combined with engineering design principles such as modularity and interoperability. The field considers living systems as programmable at the genetic level and has been defined by the development of new platform technologies and methodological advances. A key concept driving the field is the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle which provides a systematic framework for building new biological systems. One major application area for synthetic biology is biosynthetic pathway engineering that requires the modular assembly of different genetic regulatory elements and biosynthetic enzymes. In this review we provide an overview of modular DNA assembly and describe and compare the plethora of in vitro and in vivo assembly methods for combinatorial pathway engineering. Considerations for part design and methods for enzyme balancing are also presented, and we briefly discuss alternatives to intracellular pathway assembly including microbial consortia and cell-free systems for biosynthesis. Finally, we describe computational tools and automation for pathway design and assembly and argue that a deeper understanding of the many different variables of genetic design, pathway regulation and cellular metabolism will allow more predictive pathway design and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Young
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Matthew Haines
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Marko Storch
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK; London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Paul S Freemont
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK; London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, London, W12 0BZ, UK; UK DRI Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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21
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Precision Tools in Immuno-Oncology: Synthetic Gene Circuits for Cancer Immunotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040732. [PMID: 33287392 PMCID: PMC7761833 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered mammalian cells for medical purposes are becoming a clinically relevant reality thanks to advances in synthetic biology that allow enhanced reliability and safety of cell-based therapies. However, their application is still hampered by challenges including time-consuming design-and-test cycle iterations and costs. For example, in the field of cancer immunotherapy, CAR-T cells targeting CD19 have already been clinically approved to treat several types of leukemia, but their use in the context of solid tumors is still quite inefficient, with additional issues related to the adequate quality control for clinical use. These limitations can be overtaken by innovative bioengineering approaches currently in development. Here we present an overview of recent synthetic biology strategies for mammalian cell therapies, with a special focus on the genetic engineering improvements on CAR-T cells, discussing scenarios for the next generation of genetic circuits for cancer immunotherapy.
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22
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Spice AJ, Aw R, Bracewell DG, Polizzi KM. Improving the reaction mix of a Pichia pastoris cell-free system using a design of experiments approach to minimise experimental effort. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2020; 5:137-144. [PMID: 32637667 PMCID: PMC7320237 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A renaissance in cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is underway, enabled by the acceleration and adoption of synthetic biology methods. CFPS has emerged as a powerful platform technology for synthetic gene network design, biosensing and on-demand biomanufacturing. Whilst primarily of bacterial origin, cell-free extracts derived from a variety of host organisms have been explored, aiming to capitalise on cellular diversity and the advantageous properties associated with those organisms. However, cell-free extracts produced from eukaryotes are often overlooked due to their relatively low yields, despite the potential for improved protein folding and posttranslational modifications. Here we describe further development of a Pichia pastoris cell-free platform, a widely used expression host in both academia and the biopharmaceutical industry. Using a minimised Design of Experiments (DOE) approach, we were able to increase the productivity of the system by improving the composition of the complex reaction mixture. This was achieved in a minimal number of experimental runs, within the constraints of the design and without the need for liquid-handling robots. In doing so, we were able to estimate the main effects impacting productivity in the system and increased the protein synthesis of firefly luciferase and the biopharmaceutical HSA by 4.8-fold and 3.5-fold, respectively. This study highlights the P. pastoris-based cell-free system as a highly productive eukaryotic platform and displays the value of minimised DOE designs.
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Key Words
- AB, Albumin Blue
- CFPS, cell-free protein synthesis
- CHO, Chinese hamster ovary cells
- Cell-free protein synthesis
- DOE, design of Experiments
- DSD, definitive screening design
- Design of experiments (DOE)
- HSA, human serum albumin
- IRES, internal ribosome entry site
- Pichia pastoris
- RRL, rabbit reticulocyte lysate
- Synthetic biology
- VLP, virus-like particles
- WGE, wheat-germ etract
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J. Spice
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Rochelle Aw
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Daniel G. Bracewell
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Karen M. Polizzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, UK
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23
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Kelwick RJR, Webb AJ, Freemont PS. Biological Materials: The Next Frontier for Cell-Free Synthetic Biology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:399. [PMID: 32478045 PMCID: PMC7235315 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in cell-free synthetic biology are enabling innovations in sustainable biomanufacturing, that may ultimately shift the global manufacturing paradigm toward localized and ecologically harmonized production processes. Cell-free synthetic biology strategies have been developed for the bioproduction of fine chemicals, biofuels and biological materials. Cell-free workflows typically utilize combinations of purified enzymes, cell extracts for biotransformation or cell-free protein synthesis reactions, to assemble and characterize biosynthetic pathways. Importantly, cell-free reactions can combine the advantages of chemical engineering with metabolic engineering, through the direct addition of co-factors, substrates and chemicals -including those that are cytotoxic. Cell-free synthetic biology is also amenable to automatable design cycles through which an array of biological materials and their underpinning biosynthetic pathways can be tested and optimized in parallel. Whilst challenges still remain, recent convergences between the materials sciences and these advancements in cell-free synthetic biology enable new frontiers for materials research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. R. Kelwick
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander J. Webb
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul S. Freemont
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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