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Carneiro DC, Rocha VPC, Damasceno PKF, Barbosa JDV, Soares MBP. Therapeutic applications of synthetic gene/genetic circuits: a patent review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1425529. [PMID: 39161351 PMCID: PMC11330796 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1425529] [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: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
A significant limitation of numerous current genetic engineering therapy approaches is their limited control over the strength, timing, or cellular context of their therapeutic effect. Synthetic gene/genetic circuits are synthetic biology approaches that can control the generation, transformation, or depletion of a specific DNA, RNA, or protein and provide precise control over gene expression and cellular behavior. They can be designed to perform logical operations by carefully selecting promoters, repressors, and other genetic components. Patent search was performed in Espacenet, resulting in 38 selected patents with 15 most frequent international classifications. Patent embodiments were categorized into applications for the delivery of therapeutic molecules, treatment of infectious diseases, treatment of cancer, treatment of bleeding, and treatment of metabolic disorders. The logic gates of selected genetic circuits are described to comprehensively demonstrate their therapeutic applications. Synthetic gene circuits can be customized for precise control of therapeutic interventions, leading to personalized therapies that respond specifically to individual patient needs, enhancing treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects. They can be highly sensitive biosensors that provide real-time therapy by accurate monitoring various biomarkers or pathogens and appropriately synthesizing a therapeutic molecule. Synthetic gene circuits may also lead to the development of advanced regenerative therapies and to implantable biodevices that produce on-demand bioactive molecules. However, this technology faces challenges for commercial profitability. The genetic circuit designs need adjustments for specific applications, and may have disadvantages like toxicity from multiple regulators, homologous recombination, context dependency, resource overuse, and environmental variability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vinícius P. C. Rocha
- SENAI Institute of Advanced Health Systems Innovation, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Patrícia K. F. Damasceno
- SENAI Institute of Advanced Health Systems Innovation, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Josiane D. V. Barbosa
- SENAI Institute of Advanced Health Systems Innovation, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Milena B. P. Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Brazil
- SENAI Institute of Advanced Health Systems Innovation, University Center SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil
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2
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Giraudot C, Alazard-Dany N, Lambert V. [Closed-loop synthetic gene circuits for cell-based therapies]. Med Sci (Paris) 2024; 40:437-444. [PMID: 38819279 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2024054] [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: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in synthetic biology have paved the way for new cellular therapies, using cells capable of autonomously treating chronic diseases. These cells integrate a set of genes functioning in a closed-loop synthetic circuit, delivering a therapeutic effector in response to a specific pathological signal. While promising in mice, these therapies face clinical challenges related to safety and feasibility of in vivo implementation. The latest generations of synthetic circuits aim to address these issues through advanced bioengineering strategies outlined in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clélia Giraudot
- École normale supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France - Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Marcy-l'Étoile, France
| | - Nathalie Alazard-Dany
- École normale supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
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3
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Franko N, da Silva Santinha AJ, Xue S, Zhao H, Charpin-El Hamri G, Platt RJ, Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Integrated compact regulators of protein activity enable control of signaling pathways and genome-editing in vivo. Cell Discov 2024; 10:9. [PMID: 38263404 PMCID: PMC10805712 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00632-1] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral proteases and clinically safe inhibitors were employed to build integrated compact regulators of protein activity (iCROP) for post-translational regulation of functional proteins by tunable proteolytic activity. In the absence of inhibitor, the co-localized/fused protease cleaves a target peptide sequence introduced in an exposed loop of the protein of interest, irreversibly fragmenting the protein structure and destroying its functionality. We selected three proteases and demonstrated the versatility of the iCROP framework by validating it to regulate the functional activity of ten different proteins. iCROP switches can be delivered either as mRNA or DNA, and provide rapid actuation kinetics with large induction ratios, while remaining strongly suppressed in the off state without inhibitor. iCROPs for effectors of the NF-κB and NFAT signaling pathways were assembled and confirmed to enable precise activation/inhibition of downstream events in response to protease inhibitors. In lipopolysaccharide-treated mice, iCROP-sr-IκBα suppressed cytokine release ("cytokine storm") by rescuing the activity of IκBα, which suppresses NF-κB signaling. We also constructed compact inducible CRISPR-(d)Cas9 variants and showed that iCROP-Cas9-mediated knockout of the PCSK9 gene in the liver lowered blood LDL-cholesterol levels in mice. iCROP-based protein switches will facilitate protein-level regulation in basic research and translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nik Franko
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Haijie Zhao
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ghislaine Charpin-El Hamri
- Département Génie Biologique, Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, Cedex, France
| | | | - Ana Palma Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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4
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Zeng J, Zeng XX. Systems Medicine for Precise Targeting of Glioblastoma. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:1565-1584. [PMID: 36859639 PMCID: PMC9977103 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00699-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant cancer that is fatal even after standard therapy and the effects of current available therapeutics are not promising due its complex and evolving epigenetic and genetic profile. The mysteries that lead to GBM intratumoral heterogeneity and subtype transitions are not entirely clear. Systems medicine is an approach to view the patient in a whole picture integrating systems biology and synthetic biology along with computational techniques. Since the GBM oncogenesis involves genetic mutations, various therapies including gene therapeutics based on CRISPR-Cas technique, MicroRNAs, and implanted synthetic cells endowed with synthetic circuits against GBM with neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells acting as potential vehicles carrying therapeutics via the intranasal route, avoiding the risks of invasive methods in order to reach the GBM cells in the brain are discussed and proposed in this review. Systems medicine approach is a rather novel strategy, and since the GBM of a patient is complex and unique, thus to devise an individualized treatment strategy to tailor personalized multimodal treatments for the individual patient taking into account the phenotype of the GBM, the unique body health profile of the patient and individual responses according to the systems medicine concept might show potential to achieve optimum effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zeng
- Benjoe Institute of Systems Bio-Engineering, High Technology Park, Xinbei District, Changzhou, 213022 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao Xue Zeng
- Department of Health Management, Centre of General Practice, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 28, Desheng Road Section, Liguan Road, Lishui Town, Nanhai District, Foshan, 528000 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
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5
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Bressler EM, Adams S, Liu R, Colson YL, Wong WW, Grinstaff MW. Boolean logic in synthetic biology and biomaterials: Towards living materials in mammalian cell therapeutics. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1244. [PMID: 37386762 PMCID: PMC10310979 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intersection of synthetic biology and biomaterials promises to enhance safety and efficacy in novel therapeutics. Both fields increasingly employ Boolean logic, which allows for specific therapeutic outputs (e.g., drug release, peptide synthesis) in response to inputs such as disease markers or bio-orthogonal stimuli. Examples include stimuli-responsive drug delivery devices and logic-gated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. In this review, we explore recent manuscripts highlighting the potential of synthetic biology and biomaterials with Boolean logic to create novel and efficacious living therapeutics. MAIN BODY Collaborations in synthetic biology and biomaterials have led to significant advancements in drug delivery and cell therapy. Borrowing from synthetic biology, researchers have created Boolean-responsive biomaterials sensitive to multiple inputs including pH, light, enzymes and more to produce functional outputs such as degradation, gel-sol transition and conformational change. Biomaterials also enhance synthetic biology, particularly CAR T and adoptive T cell therapy, by modulating therapeutic immune cells in vivo. Nanoparticles and hydrogels also enable in situ generation of CAR T cells, which promises to drive down production costs and expand access to these therapies to a larger population. Biomaterials are also used to interface with logic-gated CAR T cell therapies, creating controllable cellular therapies that enhance safety and efficacy. Finally, designer cells acting as living therapeutic factories benefit from biomaterials that improve biocompatibility and stability in vivo. CONCLUSION By using Boolean logic in both cellular therapy and drug delivery devices, researchers have achieved better safety and efficacy outcomes. While early projects show incredible promise, coordination between these fields is ongoing and growing. We expect that these collaborations will continue to grow and realize the next generation of living biomaterial therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M. Bressler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design CenterBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sarah Adams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design CenterBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Rong Liu
- Division of Thoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yolonda L. Colson
- Division of Thoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Wilson W. Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design CenterBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mark W. Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design CenterBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Sun S, Peng K, Sun S, Wang M, Shao Y, Li L, Xiang J, Sedjoah RCAA, Xin Z. Engineering Modular and Highly Sensitive Cell-Based Biosensors for Aromatic Contaminant Monitoring and High-Throughput Enzyme Screening. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:877-891. [PMID: 36821745 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Although a variety of whole-cell-based biosensors have been developed for different applications in recent years, most cannot meet practical requirements due to insufficient sensing performance. Here, we constructed two sets of modular genetic circuits by serial and parallel modes capable of significantly amplifying the input/output signal in Escherichia coli. The biosensors are engineered using σ54-dependent phenol-responsive regulator DmpR as a sensor and enhanced green fluorescent protein as a reporter. Cells harboring serial and parallel genetic circuits displayed nearly 9- and 16-fold higher sensitivity than the general circuit. The genetic circuits enabled rapid detection of six phenolic contaminants in 12 h and showed the low limit of detection of 2.5 and 2.2 ppb for benzopyrene (BaP) and tetracycline (Tet), with a broad detection range of 0.01-1 and 0.005-5 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the positive rate was as high as 73% when the biosensor was applied to screen intracellular enzymes with ester-hydrolysis activity from soil metagenomic libraries using phenyl acetate as a phenolic substrate. Several novel enzymes were isolated, identified, and biochemically characterized, including serine peptidases and alkaline phosphatase family protein/metalloenzyme. Consequently, this study provides a new signal amplification method for cell-based biosensors that can be widely applied to environmental contaminant assessment and screening of intracellular enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Kailin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Sen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Mengxi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Yuting Shao
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Longxiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Jiahui Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Rita-Cindy Aye-Ayire Sedjoah
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Zhihong Xin
- Key Laboratory of Food Processing and Quality Control, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
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7
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Lu Q, Wang Z, Bai S, Wang Y, Liao C, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Li W, Mei Q. Hydrophobicity Regulation of Energy Acceptors Confined in Mesoporous Silica Enabled Reversible Activation of Optogenetics for Closed-Loop Glycemic Control. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:5941-5951. [PMID: 36867047 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c13762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics-based synthetic biology holds great promise as a cell-based therapy strategy for many clinical incurable diseases; however, precise control over genetic expression strength and timing through disease state-related closed-loop regulation remains a challenge due to the lack of reversible probes to indicate real-time metabolite fluctuations. Here, based on a novel mechanism of analyte-induced hydrophobicity regulation of energy acceptors confined in mesoporous silica, we developed a smart hydrogel platform comprising glucose reversible responsive upconversion nanoprobes and optogenetic engineered cells, in which the upconverted blue light strength was adaptively tuned through blood glucose levels to control optogenetic expressions for insulin secretion. The intelligent hydrogel system enabled convenient maintenance of glycemic homeostasis through simple near-infrared illuminations without any additional glucose concentration monitoring, which efficiently avoided genetic overexpression-induced hypoglycemia. This proof-of-concept strategy efficiently combines diagnostics with optogenetics-based synthetic biology for mellitus therapy, opening up a new avenue for nano-optogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Lu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Zihe Wang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Shumin Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Cheng Liao
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Yaru Sun
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523560, China
| | - Qingsong Mei
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.,Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
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8
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Anastassov S, Filo M, Chang CH, Khammash M. A cybergenetic framework for engineering intein-mediated integral feedback control systems. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1337. [PMID: 36906662 PMCID: PMC10008564 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36863-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of biological systems to tightly regulate targeted variables, despite external and internal disturbances, is known as Robust Perfect Adaptation (RPA). Achieved frequently through biomolecular integral feedback controllers at the cellular level, RPA has important implications for biotechnology and its various applications. In this study, we identify inteins as a versatile class of genetic components suitable for implementing these controllers and present a systematic approach for their design. We develop a theoretical foundation for screening intein-based RPA-achieving controllers and a simplified approach for modeling them. We then genetically engineer and test intein-based controllers using commonly used transcription factors in mammalian cells and demonstrate their exceptional adaptation properties over a wide dynamic range. The small size, flexibility, and applicability of inteins across life forms allow us to create a diversity of genetic RPA-achieving integral feedback control systems that can be used in various applications, including metabolic engineering and cell-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Anastassov
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maurice Filo
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ching-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mustafa Khammash
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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9
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Bertschi A, Wang P, Galvan S, Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Combinatorial protein dimerization enables precise multi-input synthetic computations. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:767-777. [PMID: 36894721 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01281-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial transcription factors (TFs) with helix-turn-helix (HTH) DNA-binding domains have been widely explored to build orthogonal transcriptional regulation systems in mammalian cells. Here we capitalize on the modular structure of these proteins to build a framework for multi-input logic gates relying on serial combinations of inducible protein-protein interactions. We found that for some TFs, their HTH domain alone is sufficient for DNA binding. By fusing the HTH domain to TFs, we established dimerization dependent rather than DNA-binding-dependent activation. This enabled us to convert gene switches from OFF-type into more widely applicable ON-type systems and to create mammalian gene switches responsive to new inducers. By combining both OFF and ON modes of action, we built a compact, high-performance bandpass filter. Furthermore, we were able to show cytosolic and extracellular dimerization. Cascading up to five pairwise fusion proteins yielded robust multi-input AND logic gates. Combinations of different pairwise fusion proteins afforded a variety of 4-input 1-output AND and OR logic gate configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Bertschi
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pengli Wang
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Galvan
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ana Palma Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel, Switzerland.
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10
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de Rossi J, Arefeayne Y, Robinson A, Segatori L. Emerging technologies for genetic control systems in cellular therapies. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 78:102833. [PMID: 36334445 PMCID: PMC10091305 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Progress in synthetic biology has enabled the construction of designer cells that sense biological inputs, and, in response, activate user-defined biomolecular programs. Such engineered cells provide unique opportunities for treating a wide variety of diseases. Current strategies mostly rely on cell-surface receptor systems engineered to convert binding interactions into activation of a transcriptional program. Genetic control systems are emerging as an appealing alternative to receptor-based sensors as they overcome the need for receptor engineering and result in cellular behaviors that operate over therapeutically relevant timescales. Genetic control systems include synthetic gene networks, RNA-based sensors, and post-translational tools. These technologies present fundamental challenges, including the requirement for precise integration with innate pathways, the need for parts orthogonal to existing circuitries, and the metabolic burden induced by such complex cell engineering endeavors. This review discusses the challenges in the design of genetic control systems for cellular therapies and their translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo de Rossi
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Yafet Arefeayne
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Ashley Robinson
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States
| | - Laura Segatori
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, United States; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, United States.
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11
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Galvan S, Madderson O, Xue S, Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Regulation of Transgene Expression by the Natural Sweetener Xylose. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2203193. [PMID: 36316222 PMCID: PMC9731693 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202203193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Next-generation gene and engineered-cell therapies benefit from incorporating synthetic gene networks that can precisely regulate the therapeutic output in response to externally administered signal inputs that are safe, readily bioavailable and pleasant to take. To enable such therapeutic control, a mammalian gene switch is designed to be responsive to the natural sweetener xylose and its functionality is assessed in mouse studies. The gene switch consists of the bacterial transcription regulator XylR fused to a mammalian transactivator, which binds to an optimized promoter in the presence of xylose, thereby allowing dose-dependent transgene expression. The sensitivity of SWEET (sweetener-inducible expression of transgene) is improved by coexpressing a xylose transporter. Mice implanted with encapsulated SWEET-engineered cells show increased blood levels of cargo protein when taking xylose-sweetened water or coffee, or highly concentrated apple extract, while they do not respond to intake of a usual amount of carrots, which contain xylose. In a proof-of-concept therapeutic application study, type-1 diabetic mice engineered with insulin-expressing SWEET show lowered glycemia and increased insulin levels when administered this fairly diabetic-compliant sweetener, compared to untreated mice. A SWEET-based therapy appears to have the potential to integrate seamlessly into patients' life-style and food habits in the move toward personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Galvan
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26BaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Oliver Madderson
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26BaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26BaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Ana P. Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26BaselCH‐4058Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26BaselCH‐4058Switzerland
- Faculty of Life ScienceUniversity of BaselMattenstrasse 26BaselCH‐4058Switzerland
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12
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Mansouri M, Ray PG, Franko N, Xue S, Fussenegger M. Design of programmable post-translational switch control platform for on-demand protein secretion in mammalian cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:e1. [PMID: 36268868 PMCID: PMC9841418 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of novel strategies to program cellular behaviors is a central goal in synthetic biology, and post-translational control mediated by engineered protein circuits is a particularly attractive approach to achieve rapid protein secretion on demand. We have developed a programmable protease-mediated post-translational switch (POSH) control platform composed of a chimeric protein unit that consists of a protein of interest fused via a transmembrane domain to a cleavable ER-retention signal, together with two cytosolic inducer-sensitive split protease components. The protease components combine in the presence of the specific inducer to generate active protease, which cleaves the ER-retention signal, releasing the transmembrane-domain-linked protein for trafficking to the trans-Golgi region. A furin site placed downstream of the protein ensures cleavage and subsequent secretion of the desired protein. We show that stimuli ranging from plant-derived, clinically compatible chemicals to remotely controllable inducers such as light and electrostimulation can program protein secretion in various POSH-engineered designer mammalian cells. As proof-of-concept, an all-in-one POSH control plasmid encoding insulin and abscisic acid-activatable split protease units was hydrodynamically transfected into the liver of type-1 diabetic mice. Induction with abscisic acid attenuated glycemic excursions in glucose-tolerance tests. Increased blood levels of insulin were maintained for 12 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Preetam Guha Ray
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nik Franko
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +41 61 387 31 60; Fax: +41 61 387 39 88;
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13
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Stefanov BA, Fussenegger M. Biomarker-driven feedback control of synthetic biology systems for next-generation personalized medicine. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:986210. [PMID: 36225597 PMCID: PMC9548536 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.986210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many current clinical therapies for chronic diseases involve administration of drugs using dosage and bioavailability parameters estimated for a generalized population. This standard approach carries the risk of under dosing, which may result in ineffective treatment, or overdosing, which may cause undesirable side effects. Consequently, maintaining a drug concentration in the therapeutic window often requires frequent monitoring, adversely affecting the patient’s quality of life. In contrast, endogenous biosystems have evolved finely tuned feedback control loops that govern the physiological functions of the body based on multiple input parameters. To provide personalized treatment for chronic diseases, therefore, we require synthetic systems that can similarly generate a calibrated therapeutic response. Such engineered autonomous closed-loop devices should incorporate a sensor that actively tracks and evaluates the disease severity based on one or more biomarkers, as well as components that utilize these molecular inputs to bio compute and deliver the appropriate level of therapeutic output. Here, we review recent advances in applications of the closed-loop design principle in biomedical implants for treating severe and chronic diseases, highlighting translational studies of cellular therapies. We describe the engineering principles and components of closed-loop therapeutic devices, and discuss their potential to become a key pillar of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Martin Fussenegger,
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14
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An international comprehensive benchmarking analysis of synthetic biology in China from 2015 to 2020. Chin J Chem Eng 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2021.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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Mansouri M, Fussenegger M. Therapeutic cell engineering: designing programmable synthetic genetic circuits in mammalian cells. Protein Cell 2022; 13:476-489. [PMID: 34586617 PMCID: PMC9226217 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00876-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy approaches that employ engineered mammalian cells for on-demand production of therapeutic agents in the patient's body are moving beyond proof-of-concept in translational medicine. The therapeutic cells can be customized to sense user-defined signals, process them, and respond in a programmable and predictable way. In this paper, we introduce the available tools and strategies employed to design therapeutic cells. Then, various approaches to control cell behaviors, including open-loop and closed-loop systems, are discussed. We also highlight therapeutic applications of engineered cells for early diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in the clinic and in experimental disease models. Finally, we consider emerging technologies such as digital devices and their potential for incorporation into future cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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16
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Zhao H, Xue S, Hussherr MD, Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Autonomous push button-controlled rapid insulin release from a piezoelectrically activated subcutaneous cell implant. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm4389. [PMID: 35704573 PMCID: PMC9200281 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm4389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Traceless physical cues are desirable for remote control of the in situ production and real-time dosing of biopharmaceuticals in cell-based therapies. However, current optogenetic, magnetogenetic, or electrogenetic devices require sophisticated electronics, complex artificial intelligence-assisted software, and external energy supplies for power and control. Here, we describe a self-sufficient subcutaneous push button-controlled cellular implant powered simply by repeated gentle finger pressure exerted on the overlying skin. Pushing the button causes transient percutaneous deformation of the implant's embedded piezoelectric membrane, which produces sufficient low-voltage energy inside a semi-permeable platinum-coated cell chamber to mediate rapid release of a biopharmaceutical from engineered electro-sensitive human cells. Release is fine-tuned by varying the frequency and duration of finger-pressing stimulation. As proof of concept, we show that finger-pressure activation of the subcutaneous implant can restore normoglycemia in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. Self-sufficient push-button devices may provide a new level of convenience for patients to control their cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijie Zhao
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Didiée Hussherr
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ana Palma Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
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17
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A genetic mammalian proportional-integral feedback control circuit for robust and precise gene regulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2122132119. [PMID: 35687671 PMCID: PMC9214505 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122132119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To survive in the harsh environments they inhabit, cells have evolved sophisticated regulatory mechanisms that can maintain a steady internal milieu or homeostasis. This robustness, however, does not generally translate to engineered genetic circuits, such as the ones studied by synthetic biology. Here, we introduce an implementation of a minimal and universal gene regulatory motif that produces robust perfect adaptation for mammalian cells, and we improve on it by enhancing the precision of its regulation. The processes that keep a cell alive are constantly challenged by unpredictable changes in its environment. Cells manage to counteract these changes by employing sophisticated regulatory strategies that maintain a steady internal milieu. Recently, the antithetic integral feedback motif has been demonstrated to be a minimal and universal biological regulatory strategy that can guarantee robust perfect adaptation for noisy gene regulatory networks in Escherichia coli. Here, we present a realization of the antithetic integral feedback motif in a synthetic gene circuit in mammalian cells. We show that the motif robustly maintains the expression of a synthetic transcription factor at tunable levels even when it is perturbed by increased degradation or its interaction network structure is perturbed by a negative feedback loop with an RNA-binding protein. We further demonstrate an improved regulatory strategy by augmenting the antithetic integral motif with additional negative feedback to realize antithetic proportional–integral control. We show that this motif produces robust perfect adaptation while also reducing the variance of the regulated synthetic transcription factor. We demonstrate that the integral and proportional–integral feedback motifs can mitigate the impact of gene expression burden, and we computationally explore their use in cell therapy. We believe that the engineering of precise and robust perfect adaptation will enable substantial advances in industrial biotechnology and cell-based therapeutics.
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18
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Angelidi AM, Belanger MJ, Kokkinos A, Koliaki CC, Mantzoros CS. Novel Noninvasive Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity: From Pharmacotherapy to Gene Therapy. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:507-557. [PMID: 35552683 PMCID: PMC9113190 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent insights into the pathophysiologic underlying mechanisms of obesity have led to the discovery of several promising drug targets and novel therapeutic strategies to address the global obesity epidemic and its comorbidities. Current pharmacologic options for obesity management are largely limited in number and of modest efficacy/safety profile. Therefore, the need for safe and more efficacious new agents is urgent. Drugs that are currently under investigation modulate targets across a broad range of systems and tissues, including the central nervous system, gastrointestinal hormones, adipose tissue, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscle. Beyond pharmacotherapeutics, other potential antiobesity strategies are being explored, including novel drug delivery systems, vaccines, modulation of the gut microbiome, and gene therapy. The present review summarizes the pathophysiology of energy homeostasis and highlights pathways being explored in the effort to develop novel antiobesity medications and interventions but does not cover devices and bariatric methods. Emerging pharmacologic agents and alternative approaches targeting these pathways and relevant research in both animals and humans are presented in detail. Special emphasis is given to treatment options at the end of the development pipeline and closer to the clinic (ie, compounds that have a higher chance to be added to our therapeutic armamentarium in the near future). Ultimately, advancements in our understanding of the pathophysiology and interindividual variation of obesity may lead to multimodal and personalized approaches to obesity treatment that will result in safe, effective, and sustainable weight loss until the root causes of the problem are identified and addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeliki M Angelidi
- Section of Endocrinology, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew J Belanger
- Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Kokkinos
- First Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysi C Koliaki
- First Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos S Mantzoros
- Section of Endocrinology, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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19
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Research Progress on the Synthetic Biology of Botanical Biopesticides. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9050207. [PMID: 35621485 PMCID: PMC9137473 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9050207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The production and large-scale application of traditional chemical pesticides will bring environmental pollution and food safety problems. With the advantages of high safety and environmental friendliness, botanical biopesticides are in line with the development trend of modern agriculture and have gradually become the mainstream of modern pesticide development. However, the traditional production of botanical biopesticides has long been faced with prominent problems, such as limited source and supply, complicated production processes, and excessive consumption of resources. In recent years, the rapid development of synthetic biology will break through these bottlenecks, and many botanical biopesticides are produced using synthetic biology, such as emodin, celangulin, etc. This paper reviews the latest progress and application prospect of synthetic biology in the development of botanical pesticides so as to provide new ideas for the analysis of synthetic pathways and heterologous and efficient production of botanical biopesticides and accelerate the research process of synthetic biology of natural products.
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20
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Wang T, Lu Y. Advances, Challenges and Future Trends of Cell-Free Transcription-Translation Biosensors. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12050318. [PMID: 35624619 PMCID: PMC9138237 DOI: 10.3390/bios12050318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the application of cell-free protein synthesis systems in biosensing has been developing rapidly. Cell-free synthetic biology, with its advantages of high biosafety, fast material transport, and high sensitivity, has overcome many defects of cell-based biosensors and provided an abiotic substitute for biosensors. In addition, the application of freeze-drying technology has improved the stability of such systems, making it possible to realize point-of-care application of field detection and broadening the application prospects of cell-free biosensors. However, despite these advancements, challenges such as the risk of sample interference due to the lack of physical barriers, maintenance of activity during storage, and poor robustness still need to be addressed before the full potential of cell-free biosensors can be realized on a larger scale. In this review, current strategies and research results for improving the performance of cell-free biosensors are summarized, including a comprehensive discussion of the existing challenges, future trends, and potential investments needed for improvement.
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21
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Mahameed M, Fussenegger M. Engineering autonomous closed-loop designer cells for disease therapy. iScience 2022; 25:103834. [PMID: 35243222 PMCID: PMC8857602 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Mahameed
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Faculty of Life Science, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Corresponding author
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22
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Yu G, Zhang M, Gao L, Zhou Y, Qiao L, Yin J, Wang Y, Zhou J, Ye H. Far-red light-activated human islet-like designer cells enable sustained fine-tuned secretion of insulin for glucose control. Mol Ther 2022; 30:341-354. [PMID: 34530162 PMCID: PMC8753431 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes affects almost half a billion people, and all individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and a large portion of individuals with type 2 diabetes rely on self-administration of the peptide hormone insulin to achieve glucose control. However, this treatment modality has cumbersome storage and equipment requirements and is susceptible to fatal user error. Here, reasoning that a cell-based therapy could be coupled to an external induction circuit for blood glucose control, as a proof of concept we developed far-red light (FRL)-activated human islet-like designer (FAID) cells and demonstrated how FAID cell implants achieved safe and sustained glucose control in diabetic model mice. Specifically, by introducing a FRL-triggered optogenetic device into human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which we encapsulated in poly-(l-lysine)-alginate and implanted subcutaneously under the dorsum of T1D model mice, we achieved FRL illumination-inducible secretion of insulin that yielded improvements in glucose tolerance and sustained blood glucose control over traditional insulin glargine treatment. Moreover, the FAID cell implants attenuated both oxidative stress and development of multiple diabetes-related complications in kidneys. This optogenetics-controlled "living cell factory" platform could be harnessed to develop multiple synthetic designer therapeutic cells to achieve long-term yet precisely controllable drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiling Yu
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Mingliang Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ling Gao
- Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430061, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Longliang Qiao
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jianli Yin
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- Electron Microscopy Center, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Haifeng Ye
- Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China.
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23
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Stefanov B, Teixeira AP, Mansouri M, Bertschi A, Krawczyk K, Hamri GC, Xue S, Fussenegger M. Genetically Encoded Protein Thermometer Enables Precise Electrothermal Control of Transgene Expression. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2101813. [PMID: 34496151 PMCID: PMC8564464 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Body temperature is maintained at around 37 °C in humans, but may rise to 40 °C or more during high-grade fever, which occurs in most adults who are seriously ill. However, endogenous temperature sensors, such as ion channels and heat-shock promoters, are fully activated only at noxious temperatures above this range, making them unsuitable for medical applications. Here, a genetically encoded protein thermometer (human enhanced gene activation thermometer; HEAT) is designed that can trigger transgene expression in the range of 37-40 °C by linking a mutant coiled-coil temperature-responsive protein sensor to a synthetic transcription factor. To validate the construct, a HEAT-transgenic monoclonal human cell line, FeverSense, is generated and it is confirmed that it works as a fever sensor that can temperature- and exposure-time-dependently trigger reporter gene expression in vitro and in vivo. For translational proof of concept, microencapsulated designer cells stably expressing a HEAT-controlled insulin production cassette in a mouse model of type-1 diabetes are subcutaneously implanted and topical heating patches are used to apply heat corresponding to a warm sensation in humans. Insulin release is induced, restoring normoglycemia. Thus, HEAT appears to be suitable for practical electrothermal control of cell-based therapy, and may also have potential for next-generation treatment of fever-associated medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana P. Teixeira
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
| | - Maysam Mansouri
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
| | - Adrian Bertschi
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
| | - Krzysztof Krawczyk
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
| | | | - Shuai Xue
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- University of BaselFaculty of Life ScienceBasel4056Switzerland
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24
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Zhang J, Pang Q, Wang Q, Qi Q, Wang Q. Modular tuning engineering and versatile applications of genetically encoded biosensors. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 42:1010-1027. [PMID: 34615431 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1982858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded biosensors have a diverse range of detectable signals and potential applications in many fields, including metabolism control and high-throughput screening. Their ability to be used in situ with minimal interference to the bioprocess of interest could revolutionize synthetic biology and microbial cell factories. The performance and functions of these biosensors have been extensively studied and have been rapidly improved. We review here current biosensor tuning strategies and attempt to unravel how to obtain ideal biosensor functions through experimental adjustments. Strategies for expanding the biosensor input signals that increases the number of detectable compounds have also been summarized. Finally, different output signals and their practical requirements for biotechnology and biomedical applications and environmental safety concerns have been analyzed. This in-depth review of the responses and regulation mechanisms of genetically encoded biosensors will assist to improve their design and optimization in various application scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Qingxiao Pang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Qingsheng Qi
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, P. R. China.,CAS Key Lab of Biobased Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Qian Wang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, P. R. China.,CAS Key Lab of Biobased Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, P. R. China
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25
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Mansouri M, Xue S, Hussherr MD, Strittmatter T, Camenisch G, Fussenegger M. Smartphone-Flashlight-Mediated Remote Control of Rapid Insulin Secretion Restores Glucose Homeostasis in Experimental Type-1 Diabetes. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2101939. [PMID: 34227232 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Emerging digital assessment of biomarkers by linking health-related data obtained from wearable electronic devices and embedded health and fitness sensors in smartphones is opening up the possibility of creating a continuous remote-monitoring platform for disease management. It is considered that the built-in flashlight of smartphones may be utilized to remotely program genetically engineered designer cells for on-demand delivery of protein-based therapeutics. Here, the authors present smartphone-induced insulin release in β-cell line (iβ-cell) technology for traceless light-triggered rapid insulin secretion, employing the light-activatable receptor melanopsin to induce calcium influx and membrane depolarization upon illumination. This iβ-cell-based system enables repeated, reversible secretion of insulin within 15 min in response to light stimulation, with a high induction fold both in vitro and in vivo. It is shown that programmable percutaneous remote control of implanted microencapsulated iβ-cells with a smartphone's flashlight rapidly reverses hyperglycemia in a mouse model of type-1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysam Mansouri
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Didiée Hussherr
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Strittmatter
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Gieri Camenisch
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland
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26
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Krzysztoń R, Wan Y, Petreczky J, Balázsi G. Gene-circuit therapy on the horizon: synthetic biology tools for engineered therapeutics. Acta Biochim Pol 2021; 68:377-383. [PMID: 34460209 PMCID: PMC8590856 DOI: 10.18388/abp.2020_5744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic genome modification requires precise control over the introduced therapeutic functions. Current approaches of gene and cell therapy fail to deliver such command and rely on semi-quantitative methods with limited influence on timing, contextuality and levels of transgene expression, and hence on therapeutic function. Synthetic biology offers new opportunities for quantitative functionality in designing therapeutic systems and their components. Here, we discuss synthetic biology tools in their therapeutic context, with examples of proof-of-principle and clinical applications of engineered synthetic biomolecules and higher-order functional systems, i.e. gene circuits. We also present the prospects of future development towards advanced gene-circuit therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Krzysztoń
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11974, USA
- The Louis & Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Yiming Wan
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11974, USA
- The Louis & Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Julia Petreczky
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11974, USA
- The Louis & Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Gábor Balázsi
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11974, USA
- The Louis & Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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27
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Smart-watch-programmed green-light-operated percutaneous control of therapeutic transgenes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3388. [PMID: 34099676 PMCID: PMC8184832 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23572-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Wearable smart electronic devices, such as smart watches, are generally equipped with green-light-emitting diodes, which are used for photoplethysmography to monitor a panoply of physical health parameters. Here, we present a traceless, green-light-operated, smart-watch-controlled mammalian gene switch (Glow Control), composed of an engineered membrane-tethered green-light-sensitive cobalamin-binding domain of Thermus thermophilus (TtCBD) CarH protein in combination with a synthetic cytosolic TtCBD-transactivator fusion protein, which manage translocation of TtCBD-transactivator into the nucleus to trigger expression of transgenes upon illumination. We show that Apple-Watch-programmed percutaneous remote control of implanted Glow-controlled engineered human cells can effectively treat experimental type-2 diabetes by producing and releasing human glucagon-like peptide-1 on demand. Directly interfacing wearable smart electronic devices with therapeutic gene expression will advance next-generation personalized therapies by linking biopharmaceutical interventions to the internet of things.
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28
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Wagner HJ, Mohsenin H, Weber W. Synthetic Biology-Empowered Hydrogels for Medical Diagnostics. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 178:197-226. [PMID: 33582837 DOI: 10.1007/10_2020_158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is strongly inspired by concepts of engineering science and aims at the design and generation of artificial biological systems in different fields of research such as diagnostics, analytics, biomedicine, or chemistry. To this aim, synthetic biology uses an engineering approach relying on a toolbox of molecular sensors and switches that endows cellular hosts with non-natural computing functions and circuits. Importantly, this concept is not only limited to cellular approaches. Synthetic biological building blocks have also conferred sensing and switching capability to otherwise inactive materials. This principle has attracted high interest for the development of biohybrid materials capable of sensing and responding to specific molecular stimuli, such as disease biomarkers, antibiotics, or heavy metals. Moreover, the interconnection of individual sense-and-respond materials to complex materials systems has enabled the processing of, for example, multiple inputs or the amplification of signals using feedback topologies. Such systems holding high potential for applications in the analytical and diagnostic sectors will be described in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J Wagner
- Faculty of Biology, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.,Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hasti Mohsenin
- Faculty of Biology, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of Biology, Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
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Vasilev RA, Chernikovich VY, Evteeva MA, Sakharov DA, Patrushev MV. Synthetic Biology: Current State and Applications. MOLECULAR GENETICS, MICROBIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3103/s0891416821010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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30
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Verbič A, Praznik A, Jerala R. A guide to the design of synthetic gene networks in mammalian cells. FEBS J 2020; 288:5265-5288. [PMID: 33289352 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to harness natural and synthetic biological parts and engineering them in new combinations and systems, producing novel therapies, diagnostics, bioproduction systems, and providing information on the mechanism of function of biological systems. Engineering cell function requires the rewiring or de novo construction of cell information processing networks. Using natural and synthetic signal processing elements, researchers have demonstrated a wide array of signal sensing, processing and propagation modules, using transcription, translation, or post-translational modification to program new function. The toolbox for synthetic network design is ever-advancing and has still ample room to grow. Here, we review the diversity of synthetic gene networks, types of building modules, techniques of regulation, and their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anže Verbič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Arne Praznik
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Xie M, Viviani M, Fussenegger M. Engineering precision therapies: lessons and motivations from the clinic. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2020; 6:ysaa024. [PMID: 33817342 PMCID: PMC7998714 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, gene- and cell-based therapies have been at the forefront of the biomedical revolution. Synthetic biology, the engineering discipline of building sophisticated 'genetic software' to enable precise regulation of gene activities in living cells, has been a decisive success factor of these new therapies. Here, we discuss the core technologies and treatment strategies that have already gained approval for therapeutic applications in humans. We also review promising preclinical work that could either enhance the efficacy of existing treatment strategies or pave the way for new precision medicines to treat currently intractable human conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Xie
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zheijang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zheijang, China
| | - Mirta Viviani
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zheijang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zheijang, China
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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32
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Kojima R, Aubel D, Fussenegger M. Building sophisticated sensors of extracellular cues that enable mammalian cells to work as "doctors" in the body. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3567-3581. [PMID: 32185403 PMCID: PMC7452942 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03486-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian cells are inherently capable of sensing extracellular environmental signals and activating complex biological functions on demand. Advances in synthetic biology have made it possible to install additional capabilities, which can allow cells to sense the presence of custom biological molecules and provide defined outputs on demand. When implanted/infused in patients, such engineered cells can work as intrabody "doctors" that diagnose disease states and produce and deliver therapeutic molecules when and where necessary. The key to construction of such theranostic cells is the development of a range of sensor systems for detecting various extracellular environmental cues that can be rewired to custom outputs. In this review, we introduce the state-of-art engineering principles utilized in the design of sensor systems to detect soluble factors and also to detect specific cell contact, and we discuss their potential role in treating intractable diseases by delivering appropriate therapeutic functions on demand. We also discuss the challenges facing these emerging technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.
| | - Dominque Aubel
- IUTA Département Génie Biologique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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Xie Y, Yang Y, He Y, Wang X, Zhang P, Li H, Liang S. Synthetic Biology Speeds Up Drug Target Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:119. [PMID: 32174833 PMCID: PMC7054250 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As a rising emerging field, synthetic biology intends to realize precise regulations of cellular network by constructing artificial synthetic circuits, and it brings great opportunities to treat diseases and discover novel drug targets. Depending on the combination mode of different logic gates, various synthetic circuits are created to carry out multilevel regulations. In given synthetic circuits, drugs often act as inputs to drive circuits operation. It is becoming available to construct drug-responsive gene circuits for experimentally treating various disease models, including metabolic disease, immunity disease, cancer and bacterial infection. Synthetic biology works well in association with the CRISPR system for drug target functional screening. Remarkably, more and more well-designed circuits are developed to discover novel drug targets and precisely regulate drug therapy for diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Xixi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haocheng Li
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shufang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
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Krawczyk K, Scheller L, Kim H, Fussenegger M. Rewiring of endogenous signaling pathways to genomic targets for therapeutic cell reprogramming. Nat Commun 2020; 11:608. [PMID: 32001704 PMCID: PMC6992713 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rewiring cellular sensors to trigger non-natural responses is fundamental for therapeutic cell engineering. Current designs rely on engineered receptors that are limited to single inputs, and often suffer from high leakiness and low fold induction. Here, we present Generalized Engineered Activation Regulators (GEARs) that overcome these limitations by being pathway-specific rather than input-specific. GEARs consist of the MS2 bacteriophage coat protein fused to regulatory or transactivation domains, and work by rerouting activation of the NFAT, NFκB, MAPK or SMAD pathways to dCas9-directed gene expression from genomic loci. This system enables membrane depolarization-induced activation of insulin expression in β-mimetic cells and IL-12 expression in activated Jurkat cells, as well as IL-12 production in response to the immunomodulatory cytokines TGFβ and TNFα in HEK293T cells. Engineered cells with the ability to reinterpret the extracellular milieu have potential for applications in immunotherapy and in the treatment of metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Krawczyk
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leo Scheller
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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35
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Hicks M, Bachmann TT, Wang B. Synthetic Biology Enables Programmable Cell-Based Biosensors. Chemphyschem 2020; 21:132-144. [PMID: 31585026 PMCID: PMC7004036 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cell-based biosensors offer cheap, portable and simple methods of detecting molecules of interest but have yet to be truly adopted commercially. Issues with their performance and specificity initially slowed the development of cell-based biosensors. With the development of rational approaches to tune response curves, the performance of biosensors has rapidly improved and there are now many biosensors capable of sensing with the required performance. This has stimulated an increased interest in biosensors and their commercial potential. However the reliability, long term stability and biosecurity of these sensors are still barriers to commercial application and public acceptance. Research into overcoming these issues remains active. Here we present the state-of-the-art tools offered by synthetic biology to allow construction of cell-based biosensors with customisable performance to meet the real world requirements in terms of sensitivity and dynamic range and discuss the research progress to overcome the challenges in terms of the sensor stability and biosecurity fears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Hicks
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Till T. Bachmann
- Infection MedicineEdinburgh Medical School: Biomedical SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Baojun Wang
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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36
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D'Ambrosio V, Pramanik S, Goroncy K, Jakočiūnas T, Schönauer D, Davari MD, Schwaneberg U, Keasling JD, Jensen MK. Directed evolution of VanR biosensor specificity in yeast. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotno.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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37
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Xie M, Fussenegger M. Designing cell function: assembly of synthetic gene circuits for cell biology applications. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2019; 19:507-525. [PMID: 29858606 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-018-0024-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is the discipline of engineering application-driven biological functionalities that were not evolved by nature. Early breakthroughs of cell engineering, which were based on ectopic (over)expression of single sets of transgenes, have already had a revolutionary impact on the biotechnology industry, regenerative medicine and blood transfusion therapies. Now, we require larger-scale, rationally assembled genetic circuits engineered to programme and control various human cell functions with high spatiotemporal precision in order to solve more complex problems in applied life sciences, biomedicine and environmental sciences. This will open new possibilities for employing synthetic biology to advance personalized medicine by converting cells into living therapeutics to combat hitherto intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Xie
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel, Switzerland.
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38
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Liu Y, Charpin-El Hamri G, Ye H, Fussenegger M. A synthetic free fatty acid-regulated transgene switch in mammalian cells and mice. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:9864-9874. [PMID: 30219861 PMCID: PMC6182168 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Trigger-inducible transgene expression systems are utilized in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and also to enable controlled release of therapeutic agents in vivo. We considered that free fatty acids (FFAs), which are dietary components, signaling molecules and important biomarkers, would be attractive candidates as triggers for novel transgene switches with many potential applications, e.g. in future gene- and cell-based therapies. To develop such a switch, we rewired the signal pathway of human G-protein coupled receptor 40 to a chimeric promoter triggering gene expression through an increase of intracellular calcium concentration. This synthetic gene switch is responsive to physiologically relevant FFA concentrations in different mammalian cell types grown in culture or in a bioreactor, or implanted into mice. Animal recipients of microencapsulated sensor cells containing this switch exhibited significant transgene induction following consumption of dietary fat (such as Swiss cheese) or under hyperlipidaemic conditions, including obesity, diabetes and lipodystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ghislaine Charpin-El Hamri
- Département Génie Biologique, Université Claude Bernard 1, 43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Haifeng Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
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39
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Ash GI, Kim D, Choudhury M. Promises of Nanotherapeutics in Obesity. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2019; 30:369-383. [PMID: 31126754 PMCID: PMC6716370 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The application of nanotechnology to medicine promises a wide range of new tools and possibilities, from earlier diagnostics and improved imaging, to better, more efficient, and more targeted therapies. This emerging field could help address obesity, with advances in drug delivery, nutraceuticals, and genetic and epigenetic therapeutics. Its application to obesity is still largely in the development phase. Here, we review the novel angle of nanotech applied to human consumable products and their specific applications to addressing obesity through nutraceuticals, with respect to benefits and limitations of current nanotechnology methods. Further, we review potential future applications to deliver genetic and epigenetic miRNA therapeutics. Finally, we discuss future directions, including theranostics, combinatory therapy, and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett I Ash
- School of Nursing, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dongin Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Mahua Choudhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA.
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40
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Cella F, Siciliano V. Protein-based parts and devices that respond to intracellular and extracellular signals in mammalian cells. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 52:47-53. [PMID: 31158655 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to rewire cellular activities and functionality by implementing genetic circuits with high biocomputing capabilities. Recent efforts led to the development of smart sensing interfaces which integrate multiple inputs to activate desired outputs in a highly specific and sensitive manner. In this review, we highlight protein-based interfaces that sense intracellular or extracellular cues providing information about dynamic environmental changes and cellular state. We will also discuss different mechanisms of regulation of gene expression connected to the sensors to develop diagnostic and therapeutic devices. We conclude discussing challenges and opportunities for biomedical applications of synthetic mammalian protein-based devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cella
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, Naples, Italy; University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Velia Siciliano
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, Naples, Italy.
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41
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Sivanesam K, Andersen N. Pre-structured hydrophobic peptide β-strands: A universal amyloid trap? Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 664:51-61. [PMID: 30707943 PMCID: PMC7094768 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibril formation has long been studied because of the variety of proteins that are capable of adopting this structure despite sharing little sequence homology. This makes amyloid fibrils a challenging focus for inhibition studies because the peptides and proteins that form amyloid fibrils cannot be targeted based on a sequence motif. Most peptide inhibitors that target specific amyloidogenic proteins rely heavily on sequence recognition to ensure that the inhibitory peptide is able to bind its target. This approach is limited to targeting one amyloidogenic protein at a time. However, there is increasing evidence of cross-reactivity between amyloid-forming polypeptides. It has therefore become more useful to study the similarities between these proteins that goes beyond their sequence homology. Indeed, the observation that amyloidogenic proteins adopt similar secondary structures along the pathway to fibril formation opens the way to an interesting investigation: the development of inhibitors that could be universal amyloid traps. The review below will analyze two specific amyloidogenic proteins, α-synuclein and human amylin, and introduce a small number of peptides that have been shown to be capable of inhibiting the amyloidogenesis of both of these very dissimilar polypeptides. Some of the inhibitory peptide motifs may indeed, be applicable to Aβ and other amyloidogenic systems.
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42
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Zhou Q, Zhan H, Liao X, Fang L, Liu Y, Xie H, Yang K, Gao Q, Ding M, Cai Z, Huang W, Liu Y. A revolutionary tool: CRISPR technology plays an important role in construction of intelligentized gene circuits. Cell Prolif 2018; 52:e12552. [PMID: 30520167 PMCID: PMC6496519 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
With the development of synthetic biology, synthetic gene circuits have shown great applied potential in medicine, biology, and as commodity chemicals. An ultimate challenge in the construction of gene circuits is the lack of effective, programmable, secure and sequence-specific gene editing tools. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system, a CRISPR-associated RNA-guided endonuclease Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9)-targeted genome editing tool, has recently been applied in engineering gene circuits for its unique properties-operability, high efficiency and programmability. The traditional single-targeted therapy cannot effectively distinguish tumour cells from normal cells, and gene therapy for single targets has poor anti-tumour effects, which severely limits the application of gene therapy. Currently, the design of gene circuits using tumour-specific targets based on CRISPR/Cas systems provides a new way for precision cancer therapy. Hence, the application of intelligentized gene circuits based on CRISPR technology effectively guarantees the safety, efficiency and specificity of cancer therapy. Here, we assessed the use of synthetic gene circuits and if the CRISPR system could be used, especially artificial switch-inducible Cas9, to more effectively target and treat tumour cells. Moreover, we also discussed recent advances, prospectives and underlying challenges in CRISPR-based gene circuit development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Zhou
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Clinical Medicine College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hengji Zhan
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinhui Liao
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lan Fang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Clinical Medicine College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuhan Liu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haibiao Xie
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kang Yang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qunjun Gao
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mengting Ding
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Clinical Medicine College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Clinical Medicine College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiren Huang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Clinical Medicine College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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43
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Weisenberger MS, Deans TL. Bottom-up approaches in synthetic biology and biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 45:599-614. [PMID: 29552703 PMCID: PMC6041164 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-018-2027-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biologists use engineering principles to design and construct genetic circuits for programming cells with novel functions. A bottom-up approach is commonly used to design and construct genetic circuits by piecing together functional modules that are capable of reprogramming cells with novel behavior. While genetic circuits control cell operations through the tight regulation of gene expression, a diverse array of environmental factors within the extracellular space also has a significant impact on cell behavior. This extracellular space offers an addition route for synthetic biologists to apply their engineering principles to program cell-responsive modules within the extracellular space using biomaterials. In this review, we discuss how taking a bottom-up approach to build genetic circuits using DNA modules can be applied to biomaterials for controlling cell behavior from the extracellular milieu. We suggest that, by collectively controlling intrinsic and extrinsic signals in synthetic biology and biomaterials, tissue engineering outcomes can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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44
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Sedlmayer F, Aubel D, Fussenegger M. Synthetic gene circuits for the detection, elimination and prevention of disease. Nat Biomed Eng 2018; 2:399-415. [PMID: 31011195 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-018-0215-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In living organisms, naturally evolved sensors that constantly monitor and process environmental cues trigger corrective actions that enable the organisms to cope with changing conditions. Such natural processes have inspired biologists to construct synthetic living sensors and signalling pathways, by repurposing naturally occurring proteins and by designing molecular building blocks de novo, for customized diagnostics and therapeutics. In particular, designer cells that employ user-defined synthetic gene circuits to survey disease biomarkers and to autonomously re-adjust unbalanced pathological states can coordinate the production of therapeutics, with controlled timing and dosage. Furthermore, tailored genetic networks operating in bacterial or human cells have led to cancer remission in experimental animal models, owing to the network's unprecedented specificity. Other applications of designer cells in infectious, metabolic and autoimmune diseases are also being explored. In this Review, we describe the biomedical applications of synthetic gene circuits in major disease areas, and discuss how the first genetically engineered devices developed on the basis of synthetic-biology principles made the leap from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Sedlmayer
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Aubel
- IUTA Département Génie Biologique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland. .,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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45
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Designer cells programming quorum-sensing interference with microbes. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1822. [PMID: 29739943 PMCID: PMC5940823 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04223-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a promising target for next-generation anti-infectives designed to address evolving bacterial drug resistance. The autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is a key quorum-sensing signal molecule which regulates bacterial group behaviors and is recognized by many Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Here we report a synthetic mammalian cell-based microbial-control device that detects microbial chemotactic formyl peptides through a formyl peptide sensor (FPS) and responds by releasing AI-2. The microbial-control device was designed by rewiring an artificial receptor-based signaling cascade to a modular biosynthetic AI-2 production platform. Mammalian cells equipped with the microbial-control gene circuit detect formyl peptides secreted from various microbes with high sensitivity and respond with robust AI-2 production, resulting in control of quorum sensing-related behavior of pathogenic Vibrio harveyi and attenuation of biofilm formation by the human pathogen Candida albicans. The ability to manipulate mixed microbial populations through fine-tuning of AI-2 levels may provide opportunities for future anti-infective strategies.
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Kitada T, DiAndreth B, Teague B, Weiss R. Programming gene and engineered-cell therapies with synthetic biology. Science 2018; 359:359/6376/eaad1067. [PMID: 29439214 DOI: 10.1126/science.aad1067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Gene and engineered-cell therapies promise to treat diseases by genetically modifying cells to carry out therapeutic tasks. Although the field has had some success in treating monogenic disorders and hematological malignancies, current approaches are limited to overexpression of one or a few transgenes, constraining the diseases that can be treated with this approach and leading to potential concerns over safety and efficacy. Synthetic gene networks can regulate the dosage, timing, and localization of gene expression and therapeutic activity in response to small molecules and disease biomarkers. Such "programmable" gene and engineered-cell therapies will provide new interventions for incurable or difficult-to-treat diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Kitada
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Breanna DiAndreth
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brian Teague
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ron Weiss
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Kojima R, Bojar D, Rizzi G, Hamri GCE, El-Baba MD, Saxena P, Ausländer S, Tan KR, Fussenegger M. Designer exosomes produced by implanted cells intracerebrally deliver therapeutic cargo for Parkinson's disease treatment. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1305. [PMID: 29610454 PMCID: PMC5880805 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03733-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles (50-150 nm), which mediate intercellular communication, and are candidate therapeutic agents. However, inefficiency of exosomal message transfer, such as mRNA, and lack of methods to create designer exosomes have hampered their development into therapeutic interventions. Here, we report a set of EXOsomal transfer into cells (EXOtic) devices that enable efficient, customizable production of designer exosomes in engineered mammalian cells. These genetically encoded devices in exosome producer cells enhance exosome production, specific mRNA packaging, and delivery of the mRNA into the cytosol of target cells, enabling efficient cell-to-cell communication without the need to concentrate exosomes. Further, engineered producer cells implanted in living mice could consistently deliver cargo mRNA to the brain. Therapeutic catalase mRNA delivery by designer exosomes attenuated neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease, indicating the potential usefulness of the EXOtic devices for RNA delivery-based therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Daniel Bojar
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Rizzi
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ghislaine Charpin-El Hamri
- Département Génie Biologique, Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUTA), F-69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Marie Daoud El-Baba
- Département Génie Biologique, Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUTA), F-69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Pratik Saxena
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon Ausländer
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kelly R Tan
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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Soni B, Nimsarkar P, Mol M, Saha B, Singh S. Systems-synthetic biology in understanding the complexities and simple devices in immunology. Cytokine 2018; 108:60-66. [PMID: 29579544 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.03.029] [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: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Systems and synthetic biology in the coming era has the ability to manipulate, stimulate and engineer cells to counteract the pathogenic immune response. The inherent biological complexities associated with the creation of a device allow capitalizing the biotechnological resources either by simply administering a recombinant cytokine or just reprogramming the immune cells. The strategy outlined, adopted and discussed may mark the beginning with promising therapeutics based on the principles of synthetic immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavnita Soni
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India
| | - Prajakta Nimsarkar
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India
| | - Milsee Mol
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India
| | - Bhaskar Saha
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India
| | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India.
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Integrated Systems and Chemical Biology Approach for Targeted Therapies. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-8693-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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