1
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Zilberzwige-Tal S, Fontanarrosa P, Bychenko D, Dorfan Y, Gazit E, Myers CJ. Investigating and Modeling the Factors That Affect Genetic Circuit Performance. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3189-3204. [PMID: 37916512 PMCID: PMC10661042 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 2 decades, synthetic biology has yielded ever more complex genetic circuits that are able to perform sophisticated functions in response to specific signals. Yet, genetic circuits are not immediately transferable to an outside-the-lab setting where their performance is highly compromised. We propose introducing a broader test step to the design-build-test-learn workflow to include factors that might contribute to unexpected genetic circuit performance. As a proof of concept, we have designed and evaluated a genetic circuit in various temperatures, inducer concentrations, nonsterilized soil exposure, and bacterial growth stages. We determined that the circuit's performance is dramatically altered when these factors differ from the optimal lab conditions. We observed significant changes in the time for signal detection as well as signal intensity when the genetic circuit was tested under nonoptimal lab conditions. As a learning effort, we then proceeded to generate model predictions in untested conditions, which is currently lacking in synthetic biology application design. Furthermore, broader test and learn steps uncovered a negative correlation between the time it takes for a gate to turn ON and the bacterial growth phases. As the synthetic biology discipline transitions from proof-of-concept genetic programs to appropriate and safe application implementations, more emphasis on test and learn steps (i.e., characterizing parts and circuits for a broad range of conditions) will provide missing insights on genetic circuit behavior outside the lab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Zilberzwige-Tal
- The
Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Life Sciences Faculty, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel
| | - Pedro Fontanarrosa
- Department
of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Darya Bychenko
- The
Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Life Sciences Faculty, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel
| | - Yuval Dorfan
- Department
of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Bio-engineering,
Electrical Engineering Faculty, Holon Institute
of Technology (HIT), Holon 5810201, Israel
- Alagene
Ltd., Innovation Center, Reichman University, Herzliya 7670608, Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- The
Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Life Sciences Faculty, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel
| | - Chris J. Myers
- Department
of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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2
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Mısırlı G. libSBOLj3: a graph-based library for design and data exchange in synthetic biology. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:btad525. [PMID: 37624918 PMCID: PMC10471897 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY The Synthetic Biology Open Language version 3 data standard provides a graph-based approach to exchange information about biological designs. The new data model has major updates and offers several features for software tools. Here, we present libSBOLj3 to facilitate data exchange and provide interoperability between computer-aided design and automation tools using this standard. The library adopts a graph-based approach. Tool developers can extend these graphs with application-specific information and use detailed validation reports to identify errors and interoperability issues and apply best practice rules. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The libSBOLj3 library is implemented in Java and can be downloaded or used as a Maven dependency. The open-source project, code examples and documentation about accessing and using the library are available via GitHub at https://github.com/SynBioDex/libSBOLj3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göksel Mısırlı
- School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
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3
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Tellechea-Luzardo J, Otero-Muras I, Goñi-Moreno A, Carbonell P. Fast biofoundries: coping with the challenges of biomanufacturing. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:831-842. [PMID: 35012773 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Biofoundries are highly automated facilities that enable the rapid and efficient design, build, test, and learn cycle of biomanufacturing and engineering biology, which is applicable to both research and industrial production. However, developing a biofoundry platform can be expensive and time consuming. A biofoundry should grow organically, starting from a basic platform but with a vision for automation, equipment interoperability, and efficiency. By thinking about strategies early in the process through process planning, simulation, and optimization, bottlenecks can be identified and resolved. Here, we provide a survey of technological solutions in biofoundries and their advantages and limitations. We explore possible pathways towards the creation of a functional, early-phase biofoundry, and strategies towards long-term sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tellechea-Luzardo
- Institute of Industrial Control Systems and Computing (AI2), Universitat Politécnica de València (UPV), 46022 València, Spain
| | - Irene Otero-Muras
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology I2SysBio, Universitat de València-CSIC, Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 9, Paterna, 46980 València, Spain
| | - Angel Goñi-Moreno
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Carbonell
- Institute of Industrial Control Systems and Computing (AI2), Universitat Politécnica de València (UPV), 46022 València, Spain.
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4
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Mısırlı G, Yang B, James K, Wipat A. Virtual Parts Repository 2: Model-Driven Design of Genetic Regulatory Circuits. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:3304-3315. [PMID: 34762797 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Engineering genetic regulatory circuits is key to the creation of biological applications that are responsive to environmental changes. Computational models can assist in understanding especially large and complex circuits for which manual analysis is infeasible, permitting a model-driven design process. However, there are still few tools that offer the ability to simulate the system under design. One of the reasons for this is the lack of accessible model repositories or libraries that cater to the modular composition of models of synthetic systems. Here, we present the second version of the Virtual Parts Repository, a framework to facilitate the model-driven design of genetic regulatory circuits, which provides reusable, modular, and composable models. The new framework is service-oriented, easier to use in computational workflows, and provides several new features and access methods. New features include supporting hierarchical designs via a graph-based repository or compatible remote repositories, enriching existing designs, and using designs provided in Synthetic Biology Open Language documents to derive system-scale and hierarchical Systems Biology Markup Language models. We also present a reaction-based modeling abstraction inspired by rule-based modeling techniques to facilitate scalable and modular modeling of complex and large designs. This modeling abstraction enhances the modeling capability of the framework, for example, to incorporate design patterns such as roadblocking, distributed deployment of genetic circuits using plasmids, and cellular resource dependency. The framework and the modeling abstraction presented in this paper allow computational design tools to take advantage of computational simulations and ultimately help facilitate more predictable applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göksel Mısırlı
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, U.K
| | - Bill Yang
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG, U.K
| | - Katherine James
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, U.K
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG, U.K
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5
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Clark CJ, Scott-Brown J, Gorochowski TE. paraSBOLv: a foundation for standard-compliant genetic design visualization tools. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2021; 6:ysab022. [PMID: 34712845 PMCID: PMC8546602 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagrams constructed from standardized glyphs are central to communicating complex design information in many engineering fields. For example, circuit diagrams are commonplace in electronics and allow for a suitable abstraction of the physical system that helps support the design process. With the development of the Synthetic Biology Open Language Visual (SBOLv), bioengineers are now positioned to better describe and share their biological designs visually. However, the development of computational tools to support the creation of these diagrams is currently hampered by an excessive burden in maintenance due to the large and expanding number of glyphs present in the standard. Here, we present a Python package called paraSBOLv that enables access to the full suite of SBOLv glyphs through the use of machine-readable parametric glyph definitions. These greatly simplify the rendering process while allowing extensive customization of the resulting diagrams. We demonstrate how the adoption of paraSBOLv can accelerate the development of highly specialized biodesign visualization tools or even form the basis for more complex software by removing the burden of maintaining glyph-specific rendering code. Looking forward, we suggest that incorporation of machine-readable parametric glyph definitions into the SBOLv standard could further simplify the development of tools to produce standard-compliant diagrams and the integration of visual standards across fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie J Clark
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - James Scott-Brown
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Thomas E Gorochowski
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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6
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McCarthy J. Engineering and standardization of posttranscriptional biocircuitry in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Integr Biol (Camb) 2021; 13:210-220. [PMID: 34270725 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyab013] [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: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This short review considers to what extent posttranscriptional steps of gene expression can provide the basis for novel control mechanisms and procedures in synthetic biology and biotechnology. The term biocircuitry is used here to refer to functionally connected components comprising DNA, RNA or proteins. The review begins with an overview of the diversity of devices being developed and then considers the challenges presented by trying to engineer more scaled-up systems. While the engineering of RNA-based and protein-based circuitry poses new challenges, the resulting 'toolsets' of components and novel mechanisms of operation will open up multiple new opportunities for synthetic biology. However, agreed procedures for standardization will need to be placed at the heart of this expanding field if the full potential benefits are to be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- John McCarthy
- Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre (WISB) and School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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7
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Farzaneh T, Freemont PS. Biofoundries are a nucleating hub for industrial translation. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2021; 6:ysab013. [PMID: 34712838 PMCID: PMC8546609 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemporary synthetic biology embraces the entire innovation pipeline; it is a transformative technology platform impacting new applications and improving existing industrial products and processes. However, challenges still emerge at the interface of upstream and downstream processes, integral to the value chain. It is now clear that biofoundries have a key role to play in addressing this; they provide unique and accessible infrastructure to drive the standardization necessary to deliver systematic design and engineering of biological systems and workflows. As for other biofoundries, the success of the London Biofoundry has been in part due to its expertise in establishing channels for industrial translation through its extensive strategic collaborations. It has also become cemented as a key component of various consortia and partnerships that serve the broader bioeconomy and industrial strategies. Adopting a networked approach enables links to be made between infrastructure, researchers, industrialists and policy makers to de-risk the economic challenges of scale-up, as well as contribute to the growing bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabasum Farzaneh
- UK Innovation and Knowledge Centre for Synthetic Biology (SynbiCITE) and the London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, London, UK
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul S Freemont
- UK Innovation and Knowledge Centre for Synthetic Biology (SynbiCITE) and the London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, London, UK
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK
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8
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Boo A, Ceroni F. Engineering Sensors for Gene Expression Burden. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2229:313-330. [PMID: 33405229 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1032-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
RNA-seq enables the analysis of gene expression profiles across different conditions and organisms. Gene expression burden slows down growth, which results in poor predictability of gene constructs and product yields. Here, we describe how we applied RNA-seq to study the transcriptional profiles of Escherichia coli when burden is elicited during heterologous gene expression. We then present how we selected early responsive promoters from our RNA-seq results to design sensors for gene expression burden. Finally, we describe how we used one of these sensors to develop a burden-driven feedback regulator to improve cellular fitness in engineered E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Boo
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca Ceroni
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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9
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Brown B, Bartley B, Beal J, Bird JE, Goñi-Moreno Á, McLaughlin JA, Mısırlı G, Roehner N, Skelton DJ, Poh CL, Ofiteru ID, James K, Wipat A. Capturing Multicellular System Designs Using Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL). ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:2410-2417. [PMID: 32786354 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00176] [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: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to develop novel biological systems and increase their reproducibility using engineering principles such as standardization and modularization. It is important that these systems can be represented and shared in a standard way to ensure they can be easily understood, reproduced, and utilized by other researchers. The Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL) is a data standard for sharing biological designs and information about their implementation and characterization. Previously, this standard has only been used to represent designs in systems where the same design is implemented in every cell; however, there is also much interest in multicellular systems, in which designs involve a mixture of different types of cells with differing genotype and phenotype. Here, we show how the SBOL standard can be used to represent multicellular systems, and, hence, how researchers can better share designs with the community and reliably document intended system functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley Brown
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Bryan Bartley
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Jacob Beal
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Jasmine E. Bird
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Ángel Goñi-Moreno
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, United Kingdom
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politénica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) Campus de Montegancedo-UPM, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Göksel Mısırlı
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Newcastle ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Roehner
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - David James Skelton
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, United Kingdom
| | - Chueh Loo Poh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Irina Dana Ofiteru
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine James
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, United Kingdom
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10
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Bartley BA, Beal J, Karr JR, Strychalski EA. Organizing genome engineering for the gigabase scale. Nat Commun 2020; 11:689. [PMID: 32019919 PMCID: PMC7000699 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14314-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-scale engineering holds great potential to impact science, industry, medicine, and society, and recent improvements in DNA synthesis have enabled the manipulation of megabase genomes. However, coordinating and integrating the workflows and large teams necessary for gigabase genome engineering remains a considerable challenge. We examine this issue and recommend a path forward by: 1) adopting and extending existing representations for designs, assembly plans, samples, data, and workflows; 2) developing new technologies for data curation and quality control; 3) conducting fundamental research on genome-scale modeling and design; and 4) developing new legal and contractual infrastructure to facilitate collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob Beal
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - Jonathan R Karr
- Icahn Institute and Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10128, USA
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11
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Kopniczky MB, Canavan C, McClymont DW, Crone MA, Suckling L, Goetzmann B, Siciliano V, MacDonald JT, Jensen K, Freemont PS. Cell-Free Protein Synthesis as a Prototyping Platform for Mammalian Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:144-156. [PMID: 31899623 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The field of mammalian synthetic biology is expanding quickly, and technologies for engineering large synthetic gene circuits are increasingly accessible. However, for mammalian cell engineering, traditional tissue culture methods are slow and cumbersome, and are not suited for high-throughput characterization measurements. Here we have utilized mammalian cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) assays using HeLa cell extracts and liquid handling automation as an alternative to tissue culture and flow cytometry-based measurements. Our CFPS assays take a few hours, and we have established optimized protocols for small-volume reactions using automated acoustic liquid handling technology. As a proof-of-concept, we characterized diverse types of genetic regulation in CFPS, including T7 constitutive promoter variants, internal ribosomal entry sites (IRES) constitutive translation-initiation sequence variants, CRISPR/dCas9-mediated transcription repression, and L7Ae-mediated translation repression. Our data shows simple regulatory elements for use in mammalian cells can be quickly prototyped in a CFPS model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita B. Kopniczky
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Caoimhe Canavan
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - David W. McClymont
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
- London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Michael A. Crone
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, U.K
| | - Lorna Suckling
- London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Bruno Goetzmann
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Velia Siciliano
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - James T. MacDonald
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
| | - Kirsten Jensen
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
- London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, U.K
| | - Paul S. Freemont
- Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
- London Biofoundry, Imperial College Translation & Innovation Hub, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, U.K
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12
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Martínez-García E, Goñi-Moreno A, Bartley B, McLaughlin J, Sánchez-Sampedro L, Pascual del Pozo H, Prieto Hernández C, Marletta AS, De Lucrezia D, Sánchez-Fernández G, Fraile S, de Lorenzo V. SEVA 3.0: an update of the Standard European Vector Architecture for enabling portability of genetic constructs among diverse bacterial hosts. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:D1164-D1170. [PMID: 31740968 PMCID: PMC7018797 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Standard European Vector Architecture 3.0 database (SEVA-DB 3.0, http://seva.cnb.csic.es) is the update of the platform launched in 2013 both as a web-based resource and as a material repository of formatted genetic tools (mostly plasmids) for analysis, construction and deployment of complex bacterial phenotypes. The period between the first version of SEVA-DB and the present time has witnessed several technical, computational and conceptual advances in genetic/genomic engineering of prokaryotes that have enabled upgrading of the utilities of the updated database. Novelties include not only a more user-friendly web interface and many more plasmid vectors, but also new links of the plasmids to advanced bioinformatic tools. These provide an intuitive visualization of the constructs at stake and a range of virtual manipulations of DNA segments that were not possible before. Finally, the list of canonical SEVA plasmids is available in machine-readable SBOL (Synthetic Biology Open Language) format. This ensures interoperability with other platforms and affords simulations of their behaviour under different in vivo conditions. We argue that the SEVA-DB will remain a useful resource for extending Synthetic Biology approaches towards non-standard bacterial species as well as genetically programming new prokaryotic chassis for a suite of fundamental and biotechnological endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Martínez-García
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CSIC, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sofía Fraile
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CSIC, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Spain
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CSIC, Campus de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Spain
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13
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Misirli G, Nguyen T, McLaughlin JA, Vaidyanathan P, Jones TS, Densmore D, Myers C, Wipat A. A Computational Workflow for the Automated Generation of Models of Genetic Designs. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1548-1559. [PMID: 29782151 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Computational models are essential to engineer predictable biological systems and to scale up this process for complex systems. Computational modeling often requires expert knowledge and data to build models. Clearly, manual creation of models is not scalable for large designs. Despite several automated model construction approaches, computational methodologies to bridge knowledge in design repositories and the process of creating computational models have still not been established. This paper describes a workflow for automatic generation of computational models of genetic circuits from data stored in design repositories using existing standards. This workflow leverages the software tool SBOLDesigner to build structural models that are then enriched by the Virtual Parts Repository API using Systems Biology Open Language (SBOL) data fetched from the SynBioHub design repository. The iBioSim software tool is then utilized to convert this SBOL description into a computational model encoded using the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML). Finally, this SBML model can be simulated using a variety of methods. This workflow provides synthetic biologists with easy to use tools to create predictable biological systems, hiding away the complexity of building computational models. This approach can further be incorporated into other computational workflows for design automation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göksel Misirli
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Staffordshire, U.K
| | - Tramy Nguyen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | | | - Prashant Vaidyanathan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Timothy S. Jones
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Douglas Densmore
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Chris Myers
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Anil Wipat
- ICOS, School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K
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14
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Mısırlı G, Taylor R, Goñi-Moreno A, McLaughlin JA, Myers C, Gennari JH, Lord P, Wipat A. SBOL-OWL: An Ontological Approach for Formal and Semantic Representation of Synthetic Biology Information. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1498-1514. [PMID: 31059645 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Standard representation of data is key for the reproducibility of designs in synthetic biology. The Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL) has already emerged as a data standard to represent information about genetic circuits, and it is based on capturing data using graphs. The language provides the syntax using a free text document that is accessible to humans only. This paper describes SBOL-OWL, an ontology for a machine understandable definition of SBOL. This ontology acts as a semantic layer for genetic circuit designs. As a result, computational tools can understand the meaning of design entities in addition to parsing structured SBOL data. SBOL-OWL not only describes how genetic circuits can be constructed computationally, it also facilitates the use of several existing Semantic Web tools for synthetic biology. This paper demonstrates some of these features, for example, to validate designs and check for inconsistencies. Through the use of SBOL-OWL, queries can be simplified and become more intuitive. Moreover, existing reasoners can be used to infer information about genetic circuit designs that cannot be directly retrieved using existing querying mechanisms. This ontological representation of the SBOL standard provides a new perspective to the verification, representation, and querying of information about genetic circuits and is important to incorporate complex design information via the integration of biological ontologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göksel Mısırlı
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Renee Taylor
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Angel Goñi-Moreno
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
| | | | - Chris Myers
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - John H. Gennari
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Phillip Lord
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK
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15
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Beal J, Overney C, Adler A, Yaman F, Tiberio L, Samineni M. TASBE Flow Analytics: A Package for Calibrated Flow Cytometry Analysis. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1524-1529. [PMID: 31053031 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Flow cytometry is a powerful method for high-throughput precision measurement of cell fluorescence and size. Effective use of this tool for quantification of synthetic biology devices and circuits, however, generally requires careful application of complex multistage workflows for calibration, filtering, and analysis with appropriate statistics. The TASBE Flow Analytics package provides a free, open, and accessible implementation of such workflows in a form designed for high-throughput analysis of large synthetic biology data sets. Given a set of experimental samples and controls, this package can process them to output calibrated data, quantitative analyses and comparisons, automatically generated figures, and detailed debugging and diagnostic reports in both human-readable and machine-readable forms. TASBE Flow Analytics can be used through a simple user-friendly interactive Excel interface, as a library supporting Matlab, Octave, or Python interactive sessions, or as a component integrated into automated workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Beal
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Cassandra Overney
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Olin College, Needham, Massachusetts 02492, United States
| | - Aaron Adler
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Fusun Yaman
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Lisa Tiberio
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Meher Samineni
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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16
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Yeoh JW, Ng KBI, Teh AY, Zhang J, Chee WKD, Poh CL. An Automated Biomodel Selection System (BMSS) for Gene Circuit Designs. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1484-1497. [PMID: 31035759 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Constructing a complex functional gene circuit composed of different modular biological parts to achieve the desired performance remains challenging without a proper understanding of how the individual module behaves. To address this, mathematical models serve as an important tool toward better interpretation by quantifying the performance of the overall gene circuit, providing insights, and guiding the experimental designs. As different gene circuits might require exclusively different mathematical representations in the form of ordinary differential equations to capture their transient dynamic behaviors, a recurring challenge in model development is the selection of the appropriate model. Here, we developed an automated biomodel selection system (BMSS) which includes a library of pre-established models with intuitive or unintuitive features derived from a vast array of expression profiles. Selection of models is built upon the Akaike information criteria (AIC). We tested the automated platform using characterization data of routinely used inducible systems, constitutive expression systems, and several different logic gate systems (NOT, AND, and OR gates). The BMSS achieved a good agreement for all the different characterization data sets and managed to select the most appropriate model accordingly. To enable exchange and reproducibility of gene circuit design models, the BMSS platform also generates Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL)-compliant gene circuit diagrams and Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) output files. All aspects of the algorithm were programmed in a modular manner to ease the efforts on model extensions or customizations by users. Taken together, the BMSS which is implemented in Python supports users in deriving the best mathematical model candidate in a fast, efficient, and automated way using part/circuit characterization data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wui Yeoh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
| | - Kai Boon Ivan Ng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
| | - Ai Ying Teh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
| | - JingYun Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
| | - Wai Kit David Chee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
| | - Chueh Loo Poh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
- NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077
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17
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Hallinan JS, Wipat A, Kitney R, Woods S, Taylor K, Goñi‐Moreno A. Future‐proofing synthetic biology: educating the next generation. ENGINEERING BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1049/enb.2019.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of ComputingNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Richard Kitney
- Department of BioengineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Simon Woods
- Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS) Research CentreNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Ken Taylor
- Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS) Research CentreNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
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18
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Gorochowski TE, Chelysheva I, Eriksen M, Nair P, Pedersen S, Ignatova Z. Absolute quantification of translational regulation and burden using combined sequencing approaches. Mol Syst Biol 2019; 15:e8719. [PMID: 31053575 PMCID: PMC6498945 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20188719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Translation of mRNAs into proteins is a key cellular process. Ribosome binding sites and stop codons provide signals to initiate and terminate translation, while stable secondary mRNA structures can induce translational recoding events. Fluorescent proteins are commonly used to characterize such elements but require the modification of a part's natural context and allow only a few parameters to be monitored concurrently. Here, we combine Ribo-seq with quantitative RNA-seq to measure at nucleotide resolution and in absolute units the performance of elements controlling transcriptional and translational processes during protein synthesis. We simultaneously measure 779 translation initiation rates and 750 translation termination efficiencies across the Escherichia coli transcriptome, in addition to translational frameshifting induced at a stable RNA pseudoknot structure. By analyzing the transcriptional and translational response, we discover that sequestered ribosomes at the pseudoknot contribute to a σ32-mediated stress response, codon-specific pausing, and a drop in translation initiation rates across the cell. Our work demonstrates the power of integrating global approaches toward a comprehensive and quantitative understanding of gene regulation and burden in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Gorochowski
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK .,School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Irina Chelysheva
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mette Eriksen
- Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Priyanka Nair
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Steen Pedersen
- Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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19
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Goñi-Moreno A, Nikel PI. High-Performance Biocomputing in Synthetic Biology-Integrated Transcriptional and Metabolic Circuits. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:40. [PMID: 30915329 PMCID: PMC6421265 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Biocomputing uses molecular biology parts as the hardware to implement computational devices. By following pre-defined rules, often hard-coded into biological systems, these devices are able to process inputs and return outputs—thus computing information. Key to the success of any biocomputing endeavor is the availability of a wealth of molecular tools and biological motifs from which functional devices can be assembled. Synthetic biology is a fabulous playground for such purpose, offering numerous genetic parts that allow for the rational engineering of genetic circuits that mimic the behavior of electronic functions, such as logic gates. A grand challenge, as far as biocomputing is concerned, is to expand the molecular hardware available beyond the realm of genetic parts by tapping into the host metabolism. This objective requires the formalization of the interplay of genetic constructs with the rest of the cellular machinery. Furthermore, the field of metabolic engineering has had little intersection with biocomputing thus far, which has led to a lack of definition of metabolic dynamics as computing basics. In this perspective article, we advocate the conceptualization of metabolism and its motifs as the way forward to achieve whole-cell biocomputations. The design of merged transcriptional and metabolic circuits will not only increase the amount and type of information being processed by a synthetic construct, but will also provide fundamental control mechanisms for increased reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Goñi-Moreno
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo I Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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20
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McLaughlin JA, Myers CJ, Zundel Z, Wilkinson N, Atallah C, Wipat A. sboljs: Bringing the Synthetic Biology Open Language to the Web Browser. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:191-193. [PMID: 30403869 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL) is a data standard for the representation of engineered biological systems. SBOL is implemented in the form of software libraries which can be used to add SBOL support to both new and existing software tools. While existing libraries allow for software to be developed that runs on a server or is installed locally, they lack the capability to create SBOL software that runs directly in a Web browser. Here, we address this issue by presenting sboljs, a JavaScript software library for SBOL that is capable of being used both on the server and in the Web browser.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris J. Myers
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Zach Zundel
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Nathan Wilkinson
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Christian Atallah
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, U.K
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, U.K
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21
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Ceroni F, Boo A, Furini S, Gorochowski TE, Borkowski O, Ladak YN, Awan AR, Gilbert C, Stan GB, Ellis T. Burden-driven feedback control of gene expression. Nat Methods 2018; 15:387-393. [PMID: 29578536 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.4635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cells use feedback regulation to ensure robust growth despite fluctuating demands for resources and differing environmental conditions. However, the expression of foreign proteins from engineered constructs is an unnatural burden that cells are not adapted for. Here we combined RNA-seq with an in vivo assay to identify the major transcriptional changes that occur in Escherichia coli when inducible synthetic constructs are expressed. We observed that native promoters related to the heat-shock response activated expression rapidly in response to synthetic expression, regardless of the construct. Using these promoters, we built a dCas9-based feedback-regulation system that automatically adjusts the expression of a synthetic construct in response to burden. Cells equipped with this general-use controller maintained their capacity for native gene expression to ensure robust growth and thus outperformed unregulated cells in terms of protein yield in batch production. This engineered feedback is to our knowledge the first example of a universal, burden-based biomolecular control system and is modular, tunable and portable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ceroni
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alice Boo
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Simone Furini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Olivier Borkowski
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Yaseen N Ladak
- ITMAT Data Science Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ali R Awan
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Charlie Gilbert
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Guy-Bart Stan
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tom Ellis
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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22
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Husser MC, Vo PQN, Sinha H, Ahmadi F, Shih SCC. An Automated Induction Microfluidics System for Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2018. [PMID: 29516725 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The expression of a recombinant gene in a host organism through induction can be an extensively manual and labor-intensive procedure. Several methods have been developed to simplify the protocol, but none has fully replaced the traditional IPTG-based induction. To simplify this process, we describe the development of an autoinduction platform based on digital microfluidics. This system consists of a 600 nm LED and a light sensor to enable the real-time monitoring of the optical density (OD) samples coordinated with the semicontinuous mixing of a bacterial culture. A hand-held device was designed as a microbioreactor to culture cells and to measure the OD of the bacterial culture. In addition, it serves as a platform for the analysis of regulated protein expression in E. coli without the requirement of standardized well-plates or pipetting-based platforms. Here, we report for the first time, a system that offers great convenience without the user to physically monitor the culture or to manually add inducer at specific times. We characterized our system by looking at several parameters (electrode designs, gap height, and growth rates) required for an autoinducible system. As a first step, we carried out an automated induction optimization assay using a RFP reporter gene to identify conditions suitable for our system. Next, we used our system to identify active thermophilic β-glucosidase enzymes that may be suitable candidates for biomass hydrolysis. Overall, we believe that this platform may be useful for synthetic biology applications that require regulating and analyzing expression of heterologous genes for strain optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu C. Husser
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Philippe Q. N. Vo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Hugo Sinha
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Ahmadi
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Steve C. C. Shih
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1M8, Canada
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23
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McLaughlin JA, Myers CJ, Zundel Z, Mısırlı G, Zhang M, Ofiteru ID, Goñi-Moreno A, Wipat A. SynBioHub: A Standards-Enabled Design Repository for Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:682-688. [PMID: 29316788 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The SynBioHub repository ( https://synbiohub.org ) is an open-source software project that facilitates the sharing of information about engineered biological systems. SynBioHub provides computational access for software and data integration, and a graphical user interface that enables users to search for and share designs in a Web browser. By connecting to relevant repositories (e.g., the iGEM repository, JBEI ICE, and other instances of SynBioHub), the software allows users to browse, upload, and download data in various standard formats, regardless of their location or representation. SynBioHub also provides a central reference point for other resources to link to, delivering design information in a standardized format using the Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL). The adoption and use of SynBioHub, a community-driven effort, has the potential to overcome the reproducibility challenge across laboratories by helping to address the current lack of information about published designs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris J. Myers
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Zach Zundel
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Göksel Mısırlı
- School
of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Newcastle, ST5 5BG, U.K
| | - Michael Zhang
- Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Irina Dana Ofiteru
- School
of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1
7RU, U.K
| | - Angel Goñi-Moreno
- School
of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1
7RU, U.K
| | - Anil Wipat
- School
of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1
7RU, U.K
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24
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Abstract
Visualization of complex genetic systems can help efficiently communicate important design features and clearly illustrate overall structures. To aid in the creation of such diagrams, standards such as the Synthetic Biology Open Language Visual (SBOLv) have been established to ensure that specific symbols and shapes convey the same meaning for genetic parts across the field. Here, we describe several ways that the computational tool DNAplotlib can be used to automate the generation of SBOLv standard-compliant diagrams covering simple genetic designs to large libraries of genetic constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Bartoli
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Daniel O R Dixon
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Thomas E Gorochowski
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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25
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Gorochowski TE, Espah Borujeni A, Park Y, Nielsen AA, Zhang J, Der BS, Gordon DB, Voigt CA. Genetic circuit characterization and debugging using RNA-seq. Mol Syst Biol 2017; 13:952. [PMID: 29122925 PMCID: PMC5731345 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20167461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic circuits implement computational operations within a cell. Debugging them is difficult because their function is defined by multiple states (e.g., combinations of inputs) that vary in time. Here, we develop RNA‐seq methods that enable the simultaneous measurement of: (i) the states of internal gates, (ii) part performance (promoters, insulators, terminators), and (iii) impact on host gene expression. This is applied to a three‐input one‐output circuit consisting of three sensors, five NOR/NOT gates, and 46 genetic parts. Transcription profiles are obtained for all eight combinations of inputs, from which biophysical models can extract part activities and the response functions of sensors and gates. Various unexpected failure modes are identified, including cryptic antisense promoters, terminator failure, and a sensor malfunction due to media‐induced changes in host gene expression. This can guide the selection of new parts to fix these problems, which we demonstrate by using a bidirectional terminator to disrupt observed antisense transcription. This work introduces RNA‐seq as a powerful method for circuit characterization and debugging that overcomes the limitations of fluorescent reporters and scales to large systems composed of many parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Gorochowski
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amin Espah Borujeni
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yongjin Park
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alec Ak Nielsen
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bryan S Der
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - D Benjamin Gordon
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA .,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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26
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Decoene T, De Paepe B, Maertens J, Coussement P, Peters G, De Maeseneire SL, De Mey M. Standardization in synthetic biology: an engineering discipline coming of age. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2017; 38:647-656. [PMID: 28954542 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2017.1380600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leaping DNA read-and-write technologies, and extensive automation and miniaturization are radically transforming the field of biological experimentation by providing the tools that enable the cost-effective high-throughput required to address the enormous complexity of biological systems. However, standardization of the synthetic biology workflow has not kept abreast with dwindling technical and resource constraints, leading, for example, to the collection of multi-level and multi-omics large data sets that end up disconnected or remain under- or even unexploited. PURPOSE In this contribution, we critically evaluate the various efforts, and the (limited) success thereof, in order to introduce standards for defining, designing, assembling, characterizing, and sharing synthetic biology parts. The causes for this success or the lack thereof, as well as possible solutions to overcome these, are discussed. CONCLUSION Akin to other engineering disciplines, extensive standardization will undoubtedly speed-up and reduce the cost of bioprocess development. In this respect, further implementation of synthetic biology standards will be crucial for the field in order to redeem its promise, i.e. to enable predictable forward engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Decoene
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Brecht De Paepe
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Jo Maertens
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | | | - Gert Peters
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Sofie L De Maeseneire
- b InBio.be, Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Marjan De Mey
- a Centre for Synthetic Biology, Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
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