1
|
Kocalar S, Miller BM, Huang A, Gleason E, Martin K, Foley K, Copeland DS, Jewett MC, Saavedra EA, Kraves S. Validation of Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Aboard the International Space Station. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:942-950. [PMID: 38442491 PMCID: PMC10949350 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is a rapidly maturing in vitro gene expression platform that can be used to transcribe and translate nucleic acids at the point of need, enabling on-demand synthesis of peptide-based vaccines and biotherapeutics as well as the development of diagnostic tests for environmental contaminants and infectious agents. Unlike traditional cell-based systems, CFPS platforms do not require the maintenance of living cells and can be deployed with minimal equipment; therefore, they hold promise for applications in low-resource contexts, including spaceflight. Here, we evaluate the performance of the cell-free platform BioBits aboard the International Space Station by expressing RNA-based aptamers and fluorescent proteins that can serve as biological indicators. We validate two classes of biological sensors that detect either the small-molecule DFHBI or a specific RNA sequence. Upon detection of their respective analytes, both biological sensors produce fluorescent readouts that are visually confirmed using a hand-held fluorescence viewer and imaged for quantitative analysis. Our findings provide insights into the kinetics of cell-free transcription and translation in a microgravity environment and reveal that both biosensors perform robustly in space. Our findings lay the groundwork for portable, low-cost applications ranging from point-of-care health monitoring to on-demand detection of environmental hazards in low-resource communities both on Earth and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selin Kocalar
- Leigh
High School, 5210 Leigh
Ave, San Jose, California 95124, United States
- Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Bess M. Miller
- Division
of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ally Huang
- miniPCR
bio, 1770 Massachusetts
Ave, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Emily Gleason
- miniPCR
bio, 1770 Massachusetts
Ave, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Kathryn Martin
- miniPCR
bio, 1770 Massachusetts
Ave, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Kevin Foley
- Boeing
Defense, Space & Security, 6398 Upper Brandon Dr, Houston, Texas 77058, United States
| | - D. Scott Copeland
- Boeing
Defense, Space & Security, 6398 Upper Brandon Dr, Houston, Texas 77058, United States
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | | | - Sebastian Kraves
- miniPCR
bio, 1770 Massachusetts
Ave, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| |
Collapse
|