Biofilm architecture: An emerging synthetic biology target

Stephen J Kassinger; Monique L van Hoek

doi:10.1016/j.synbio.2020.01.001

Biofilm architecture: An emerging synthetic biology target

Synth Syst Biotechnol. 2020 Jan 13;5(1):1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.synbio.2020.01.001. eCollection 2020 Mar.

Authors

Stephen J Kassinger¹, Monique L van Hoek¹

Affiliation

¹ George Mason University, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA.

Abstract

Synthetic biologists are exploiting biofilms as an effective mechanism for producing various outputs. Metabolic optimization has become commonplace as a method of maximizing system output. In addition to production pathways, the biofilm itself contributes to the efficacy of production. The purpose of this review is to highlight opportunities that might be leveraged to further enhance production in preexisting biofilm production systems. These opportunities may be used with previously established production systems as a method of improving system efficiency further. This may be accomplished through the reduction in the cost of establishing and maintaining biofilms, and maintenance of the enhancement of product yield per unit of time, per unit of area, or per unit of required input.

Keywords: Biofilm engineering; Synthetic biology; Tunable.

Publication types

Review