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Duran R, Cravo‐Laureau C. The hydrocarbon pollution crisis: Harnessing the earth hydrocarbon-degrading microbiome. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14526. [PMID: 39003601 PMCID: PMC11246598 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Duran
- Universite de Pau et Des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREMPauFrance
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2
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Liu Y, Cheng YY, Thompson J, Zhou Z, Vivas EI, Warren MF, Rey FE, Anantharaman K, Venturelli OS. Shaping human gut community assembly and butyrate production by controlling the arginine dihydrolase pathway. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.01.10.523442. [PMID: 37986770 PMCID: PMC10659395 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.10.523442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The arginine dihydrolase pathway (arc operon) present in a subset of diverse human gut species enables arginine catabolism. This specialized metabolic pathway can alter environmental pH and nitrogen availability, which in turn could shape gut microbiota inter-species interactions. By exploiting synthetic control of gene expression, we investigated the role of the arc operon in probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 on human gut community assembly and health-relevant metabolite profiles in vitro and in the murine gut. By stabilizing environmental pH, the arc operon reduced variability in community composition across different initial pH perturbations. The abundance of butyrate producing bacteria were altered in response to arc operon activity and butyrate production was enhanced in a physiologically relevant pH range. While the presence of the arc operon altered community dynamics, it did not impact production of short chain fatty acids. Dynamic computational modeling of pH-mediated interactions reveals the quantitative contribution of this mechanism to community assembly. In sum, our framework to quantify the contribution of molecular pathways and mechanism modalities on microbial community dynamics and functions could be applied more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyi Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53706
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Yu-Yu Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Jaron Thompson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53706
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Zhichao Zhou
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53706
| | - Eugenio I. Vivas
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53706
- Gnotobiotic Animal Core Facility, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Matthew F. Warren
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53706
| | - Federico E. Rey
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53706
| | | | - Ophelia S. Venturelli
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI 53706
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53706
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3
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Wu M, Wang H. Re-considering and designing microbiomes for future waste biorefinery. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14395. [PMID: 38206186 PMCID: PMC10835331 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14395] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
It is an increasingly promising research direction using microbiomes to produce various chemicals in order to support people's growing need for sustainability. Currently, bottom-up constructed defined microbiomes and top-down constructed undefined microbiomes play an essential role in the fields of synthetic biology and environmental engineering, respectively. However, if we are goal-oriented and want to align scientific principles with technology and engineering in future waste biorefinery, we need to reconsider and design microbiomes interdisciplinarily. In this editorial, we briefly review the latest applications of two approaches to microbiome design (bottom-up and top-down) and the dilemmas faced in using complex waste. Consequently, we introduce the concept of 'sustainable synthetic microbiomics' to apply combined bottom-up and top-down constructed microbiomes to provide products for human needs from low-value waste. Furthermore, we outline the relatively comprehensive research contents and expected prospects based on the pressing problems. Finally, burning questions on key research contents are proposed for specific cases, hoping to provide valuable views for future microbiome biorefinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Wu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
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4
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Roslan MAM, Omar MN, Sharif NAM, Raston NHA, Arzmi MH, Neoh HM, Ramzi AB. Recent advances in single-cell engineered live biotherapeutic products research for skin repair and disease treatment. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:95. [PMID: 38065982 PMCID: PMC10709320 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00463-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The human microbiome has emerged as a key player in maintaining skin health, and dysbiosis has been linked to various skin disorders. Amidst growing concerns regarding the side effects of antibiotic treatments, the potential of live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) in restoring a healthy microbiome has garnered significant attention. This review aims to evaluate the current state of the art of the genetically or metabolically engineered LBPs, termed single-cell engineered LBPs (eLBPs), for skin repair and disease treatment. While some studies demonstrate promising outcomes, the translation of eLBPs into clinical applications remains a significant hurdle. Substantial concerns arise regarding the practical implementation and scalability of eLBPs, despite the evident potential they hold in targeting specific cells and delivering therapeutic agents. This review underscores the need for further research, robust clinical trials, and the exploration of current advances in eLBP-based bioengineered bacterial chassis and new outlooks to substantiate the viability and effectiveness of eLBPs as a transformative approach in skin repair and disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohd Norfikri Omar
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nur Azlina Mohd Sharif
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Hanun Ahmad Raston
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hafiz Arzmi
- Department of Fundamental Dental & Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, 3053, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hui-Min Neoh
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Bazli Ramzi
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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5
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The Fashion Industry Needs Microbiology: Opportunities and Challenges. mSphere 2023; 8:e0068122. [PMID: 36744949 PMCID: PMC10117041 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00681-22] [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: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, representing a 2 trillion dollars and growing valuation. Fashion design practices have been perpetuating an industrial-focused approach, which relies mostly in the economic improvement through fast cycles of product development. Additionally, the fashion industry has also been closed to either multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary initiatives outside the scope of the artistic disciplines. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to solve fashion industrial challenges. One of the most promising fields to tackle current environmental and technological problems in the fashion industry is microbiology. Through the emergent field of synthetic biology, the number of tools and approaches available is increasing and they can already be seen in niche applications. Despite the current advances and urgent need for change, there is still a long way until a more sustainable fashion industry is achieved.
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6
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Martínez-García E, Fraile S, Algar E, Aparicio T, Velázquez E, Calles B, Tas H, Blázquez B, Martín B, Prieto C, Sánchez-Sampedro L, Nørholm MH, Volke D, Wirth N, Dvořák P, Alejaldre L, Grozinger L, Crowther M, Goñi-Moreno A, Nikel P, Nogales J, de Lorenzo V. SEVA 4.0: an update of the Standard European Vector Architecture database for advanced analysis and programming of bacterial phenotypes. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:D1558-D1567. [PMID: 36420904 PMCID: PMC9825617 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The SEVA platform (https://seva-plasmids.com) was launched one decade ago, both as a database (DB) and as a physical repository of plasmid vectors for genetic analysis and engineering of Gram-negative bacteria with a structure and nomenclature that follows a strict, fixed architecture of functional DNA segments. While the current update keeps the basic features of earlier versions, the platform has been upgraded not only with many more ready-to-use plasmids but also with features that expand the range of target species, harmonize DNA assembly methods and enable new applications. In particular, SEVA 4.0 includes (i) a sub-collection of plasmids for easing the composition of multiple DNA segments with MoClo/Golden Gate technology, (ii) vectors for Gram-positive bacteria and yeast and [iii] off-the-shelf constructs with built-in functionalities. A growing collection of plasmids that capture part of the standard-but not its entirety-has been compiled also into the DB and repository as a separate corpus (SEVAsib) because of its value as a resource for constructing and deploying phenotypes of interest. Maintenance and curation of the DB were accompanied by dedicated diffusion and communication channels that make the SEVA platform a popular resource for genetic analyses, genome editing and bioengineering of a large number of microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Martínez-García
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofía Fraile
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Algar
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomás Aparicio
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Velázquez
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Calles
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Huseyin Tas
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Blas Blázquez
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Morten H H Nørholm
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Daniel C Volke
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nicolas T Wirth
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pavel Dvořák
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 62500 Czech Republic
| | - Lorea Alejaldre
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INIA-CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón 28223, Spain
| | - Lewis Grozinger
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INIA-CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón 28223, Spain
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, NE4 5TG, UK
| | - Matthew Crowther
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INIA-CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón 28223, Spain
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, NE4 5TG, UK
| | - Angel Goñi-Moreno
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (INIA-CSIC), Pozuelo de Alarcón 28223, Spain
| | - Pablo I Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Juan Nogales
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Cantoblanco-Madrid, Spain
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7
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Enzyme Discovery in Anaerobic Fungi (Neocallimastigomycetes) Enables Lignocellulosic Biorefinery Innovation. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2022; 86:e0004122. [PMID: 35852448 PMCID: PMC9769567 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00041-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biorefineries require innovative solutions to realize their full potential, and the discovery of novel lignocellulose-active enzymes could improve biorefinery deconstruction processes. Enzymatic deconstruction of plant cell walls is challenging, as noncarbohydrate linkages in hemicellulosic sidechains and lignin protect labile carbohydrates from hydrolysis. Highly specialized microbes that degrade plant biomass are attractive sources of enzymes for improving lignocellulose deconstruction, and the anaerobic gut fungi (Neocallimastigomycetes) stand out as having great potential for harboring novel lignocellulose-active enzymes. We discuss the known aspects of Neocallimastigomycetes lignocellulose deconstruction, including their extensive carbohydrate-active enzyme content, proficiency at deconstructing complex lignocellulose, unique physiology, synergistic enzyme complexes, and sizeable uncharacterized gene content. Progress describing Neocallimastigomycetes and their enzymes has been rapid in recent years, and it will only continue to expand. In particular, direct manipulation of anaerobic fungal genomes, effective heterologous expression of anaerobic fungal enzymes, and the ability to directly relate chemical changes in lignocellulose to fungal gene regulation will accelerate the discovery and subsequent deployment of Neocallimastigomycetes lignocellulose-active enzymes.
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8
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Hu H, Wang M, Huang Y, Xu Z, Xu P, Nie Y, Tang H. Guided by the principles of microbiome engineering: Accomplishments and perspectives for environmental use. MLIFE 2022; 1:382-398. [PMID: 38818482 PMCID: PMC10989833 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Although the accomplishments of microbiome engineering highlight its significance for the targeted manipulation of microbial communities, knowledge and technical gaps still limit the applications of microbiome engineering in biotechnology, especially for environmental use. Addressing the environmental challenges of refractory pollutants and fluctuating environmental conditions requires an adequate understanding of the theoretical achievements and practical applications of microbiome engineering. Here, we review recent cutting-edge studies on microbiome engineering strategies and their classical applications in bioremediation. Moreover, a framework is summarized for combining both top-down and bottom-up approaches in microbiome engineering toward improved applications. A strategy to engineer microbiomes for environmental use, which avoids the build-up of toxic intermediates that pose a risk to human health, is suggested. We anticipate that the highlighted framework and strategy will be beneficial for engineering microbiomes to address difficult environmental challenges such as degrading multiple refractory pollutants and sustain the performance of engineered microbiomes in situ with indigenous microorganisms under fluctuating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and School of Life Sciences & BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Miaoxiao Wang
- Department of Environmental Systems ScienceETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyETH ZürichEawagSwitzerland
| | - Yiqun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and School of Life Sciences & BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhaoyong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and School of Life Sciences & BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and School of Life Sciences & BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yong Nie
- College of EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hongzhi Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and School of Life Sciences & BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
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9
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Aparicio T, Silbert J, Cepeda S, de Lorenzo V. Propagation of Recombinant Genes through Complex Microbiomes with Synthetic Mini-RP4 Plasmid Vectors. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9850305. [PMID: 37850127 PMCID: PMC10521647 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9850305] [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: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The promiscuous conjugation machinery of the Gram-negative plasmid RP4 has been reassembled in a minimized, highly transmissible vector for propagating genetically encoded traits through diverse types of naturally occurring microbial communities. To this end, the whole of the RP4-encoded transfer determinants (tra, mob genes, and origin of transfer oriT) was excised from their natural context, minimized, and recreated in the form of a streamlined DNA segment borne by an autoselective replicon. The resulting constructs (the pMATING series) could be self-transferred through a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic recipients employing such a rationally designed conjugal delivery device. Insertion of GFP reporter into pMATING exposed the value of this genetic tool for delivering heterologous genes to both specific mating partners and complex consortia (e.g., plant/soil rhizosphere). The results accredited the effective and functional transfer of the recombinant plasmids to a diversity of hosts. Yet the inspection of factors that limit interspecies DNA transfer in such scenarios uncovered type VI secretion systems as one of the factual barriers that check otherwise high conjugal frequencies of tested RP4 derivatives. We argue that the hereby presented programming of hyperpromiscuous gene transfer can become a phenomenal asset for the propagation of beneficial traits through various scales of the environmental microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Aparicio
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco Madrid 28049Spain
| | - Jillian Silbert
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco Madrid 28049Spain
| | - Sherezade Cepeda
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco Madrid 28049Spain
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco Madrid 28049Spain
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10
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Vidiella B, Solé R. Ecological firewalls for synthetic biology. iScience 2022; 25:104658. [PMID: 35832885 PMCID: PMC9272386 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been recently suggested that engineered microbial strains could be used to protect ecosystems from undesirable tipping points and biodiversity loss. A major concern in this context is the potential unintended consequences, which are usually addressed in terms of designed genetic constructs aimed at controlling overproliferation. Here we present and discuss an alternative view grounded in the nonlinear attractor dynamics of some ecological network motifs. These ecological firewalls are designed to perform novel functionalities (such as plastic removal) while containment is achieved within the resident community. That could help provide a self-regulating biocontainment. In this way, engineered organisms have a limited spread while-when required-preventing their extinction. The basic synthetic designs and their dynamical behavior are presented, each one inspired in a given ecological class of interaction. Their possible applications are discussed and the broader connection with invasion ecology outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blai Vidiella
- ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-UPF, Pg Maritim de la Barceloneta 37, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, Campus de Bellaterra, Edifici C, 08193 Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - Ricard Solé
- ICREA-Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva, CSIC-UPF, Pg Maritim de la Barceloneta 37, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
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11
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Baranwal M, Clark RL, Thompson J, Sun Z, Hero AO, Venturelli OS. Recurrent neural networks enable design of multifunctional synthetic human gut microbiome dynamics. eLife 2022; 11:e73870. [PMID: 35736613 PMCID: PMC9225007 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting the dynamics and functions of microbiomes constructed from the bottom-up is a key challenge in exploiting them to our benefit. Current models based on ecological theory fail to capture complex community behaviors due to higher order interactions, do not scale well with increasing complexity and in considering multiple functions. We develop and apply a long short-term memory (LSTM) framework to advance our understanding of community assembly and health-relevant metabolite production using a synthetic human gut community. A mainstay of recurrent neural networks, the LSTM learns a high dimensional data-driven non-linear dynamical system model. We show that the LSTM model can outperform the widely used generalized Lotka-Volterra model based on ecological theory. We build methods to decipher microbe-microbe and microbe-metabolite interactions from an otherwise black-box model. These methods highlight that Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria are significant drivers of metabolite production whereas Bacteroides shape community dynamics. We use the LSTM model to navigate a large multidimensional functional landscape to design communities with unique health-relevant metabolite profiles and temporal behaviors. In sum, the accuracy of the LSTM model can be exploited for experimental planning and to guide the design of synthetic microbiomes with target dynamic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayank Baranwal
- Department of Systems and Control Engineering, Indian Institute of TechnologyBombayIndia
- Division of Data & Decision Sciences, Tata Consultancy Services ResearchMumbaiIndia
| | - Ryan L Clark
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUnited States
| | - Jaron Thompson
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUnited States
| | - Zeyu Sun
- Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Alfred O Hero
- Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
- Department of Statistics, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Ophelia S Venturelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUnited States
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUnited States
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUnited States
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12
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Ronda C, Wang HH. Engineering temporal dynamics in microbial communities. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 65:47-55. [PMID: 34739926 PMCID: PMC10659046 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Microbial communities are a key part to tackling global challenges in human health, environmental conservation, and sustainable agriculture in the coming decade. Recent advances in synthetic biology to study and modify microbial communities have led to important insights into their physiology and ecology. Understanding how targeted changes to microbial communities result in reproducible alterations of the community's intrinsic fluctuations and function is important for mechanistic reconstruction of microbiomes. Studies of synthetic microbial consortia and comparative analysis of communities in normal and disrupted states have revealed ecological principles that can be leveraged to engineer communities towards desired functions. Tools enabling temporal modulation and sensing of the community dynamics offer precise spatiotemporal control of functions, help to dissect microbial interaction networks, and improve predictions of population temporal dynamics. Here we discuss recent advances to manipulate microbiome dynamics through control of specific strain engraftment and abundance, modulation of cell-cell signaling for tuning population dynamics, infiltration of new functions in the existing community with in situ engineering, and in silico modeling of microbial consortia to predict community function and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Ronda
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harris H Wang
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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13
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Warne RW, Dallas J. Microbiome mediation of animal life histories
via
metabolites and insulin‐like signalling. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1118-1130. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robin W. Warne
- School of Biological Sciences Southern Illinois University 1125 Lincoln Dr. Carbondale IL 62901‐6501 U.S.A
| | - Jason Dallas
- School of Biological Sciences Southern Illinois University 1125 Lincoln Dr. Carbondale IL 62901‐6501 U.S.A
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14
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Blair EM, Dickson KL, O'Malley MA. Microbial communities and their enzymes facilitate degradation of recalcitrant polymers in anaerobic digestion. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 64:100-108. [PMID: 34700124 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Microbial consortia efficiently degrade complex biopolymers found in the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Through enzyme production and division of labor during anaerobic digestion, microbial communities break down recalcitrant polymers and make fermentation products, including methane. However, microbial communities remain underutilized for waste degradation as it remains difficult to characterize and predict microbial interactions during waste breakdown, especially as cultivation conditions change drastically throughout anaerobic digestion. This review discusses recent progress and opportunities in cultivating natural and engineered consortia for OFMSW hydrolysis, including how recalcitrant substrates are degraded by enzymes as well as the critical factors that govern microbial interactions and culture stability. Methods to measure substrate degradation are also reviewed, and we demonstrate the need for increased standardization to enable comparisons across different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaina M Blair
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Katharine L Dickson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Michelle A O'Malley
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA; Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.
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Leggieri PA, Kerdman-Andrade C, Lankiewicz TS, Valentine MT, O’Malley MA. Non-destructive quantification of anaerobic gut fungi and methanogens in co-culture reveals increased fungal growth rate and changes in metabolic flux relative to mono-culture. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:199. [PMID: 34663313 PMCID: PMC8522008 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01684-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantification of individual species in microbial co-cultures and consortia is critical to understanding and designing communities with prescribed functions. However, it is difficult to physically separate species or measure species-specific attributes in most multi-species systems. Anaerobic gut fungi (AGF) (Neocallimastigomycetes) are native to the rumen of large herbivores, where they exist as minority members among a wealth of prokaryotes. AGF have significant biotechnological potential owing to their diverse repertoire of potent lignocellulose-degrading carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), which indirectly bolsters activity of other rumen microbes through metabolic exchange. While decades of literature suggest that polysaccharide degradation and AGF growth are accelerated in co-culture with prokaryotes, particularly methanogens, methods have not been available to measure concentrations of individual species in co-culture. New methods to disentangle the contributions of AGF and rumen prokaryotes are sorely needed to calculate AGF growth rates and metabolic fluxes to prove this hypothesis and understand its causality for predictable co-culture design. RESULTS We present a simple, microplate-based method to measure AGF and methanogen concentrations in co-culture based on fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopies. Using samples of < 2% of the co-culture volume, we demonstrate significant increases in AGF growth rate and xylan and glucose degradation rates in co-culture with methanogens relative to mono-culture. Further, we calculate significant differences in AGF metabolic fluxes in co-culture relative to mono-culture, namely increased flux through the energy-generating hydrogenosome organelle. While calculated fluxes highlight uncertainties in AGF primary metabolism that preclude definitive explanations for this shift, our method will enable steady-state fluxomic experiments to probe AGF metabolism in greater detail. CONCLUSIONS The method we present to measure AGF and methanogen concentrations enables direct growth measurements and calculation of metabolic fluxes in co-culture. These metrics are critical to develop a quantitative understanding of interwoven rumen metabolism, as well as the impact of co-culture on polysaccharide degradation and metabolite production. The framework presented here can inspire new methods to probe systems beyond AGF and methanogens. Simple modifications to the method will likely extend its utility to co-cultures with more than two organisms or those grown on solid substrates to facilitate the design and deployment of microbial communities for bioproduction and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A. Leggieri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA
| | - Corey Kerdman-Andrade
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA
| | - Thomas S. Lankiewicz
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
| | - Megan T. Valentine
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA
| | - Michelle A. O’Malley
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
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Activity-Based Cell Sorting Reveals Resistance of Functionally Degenerate Nitrospira during a Press Disturbance in Nitrifying Activated Sludge. mSystems 2021; 6:e0071221. [PMID: 34282936 PMCID: PMC8407113 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00712-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Managing and engineering activated sludge wastewater treatment microbiomes for low-energy nitrogen removal requires process control strategies to stop the oxidation of ammonium at nitrite. Our ability to out-select nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) from activated sludge is challenged by their metabolic and physiological diversity, warranting measurements of their in situ physiology and activity under selective growth pressures. Here, we examined the stability of nitrite oxidation in activated sludge during a press disturbance induced by treating a portion of return activated sludge with a sidestream flow containing free ammonia (FA) at 200 mg NH3-N/liter. The nitrite accumulation ratio peaked at 42% by day 40 in the experimental bioreactor with the press disturbance, while it did not increase in the control bioreactor. A subsequent decrease in nitrite accumulation within the experimental bioreactor coincided with shifts in dominant Nitrospira 16S rRNA amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). We applied bioorthogonal noncanonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) coupled with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to investigate changes in the translational activity of NOB populations throughout batch exposure to FA. BONCAT-FACS confirmed that the single Nitrospira ASV washed out of the experimental bioreactor had reduced translational activity following exposure to FA, whereas the two Nitrospira ASVs that emerged after process acclimation were not impacted by FA. Thus, the coexistence of functionally degenerate and physiologically resistant Nitrospira populations provided resilience to the nitrite-oxidizing function during the press disturbance. These results highlight how BONCAT-FACS can resolve ecological niche differentiation within activated sludge and inform strategies to engineer and control microbiome function. IMPORTANCE Nitrogen removal from activated sludge wastewater treatment systems is an energy-intensive process due to the large aeration requirement for nitrification. This energy footprint could be minimized with engineering control strategies that wash out nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) to limit oxygen demands. However, NOB populations can have a high degree of physiological diversity, and it is currently difficult to decipher the behavior of individual taxa during applied selective pressures. Here, we utilized a new substrate analog probing approach to measure the activity of NOB at the cellular translational level in the face of a press disturbance applied to the activated sludge process. Substrate analog probing corroborated the time series reactor sampling, showing that coexisting and functionally degenerate Nitrospira populations provided resilience to the nitrite oxidation process. Taken together, these results highlight how substrate analog approaches can illuminate in situ ecophysiologies within shared niches, and can inform strategies to improve microbiome engineering and management.
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