Genetic Circuit-Assisted Smart Microbial Engineering

Cong Gao; Peng Xu; Chao Ye; Xiulai Chen; Liming Liu

doi:10.1016/j.tim.2019.07.005

Genetic Circuit-Assisted Smart Microbial Engineering

Trends Microbiol. 2019 Dec;27(12):1011-1024. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.07.005. Epub 2019 Aug 15.

Authors

Cong Gao¹, Peng Xu², Chao Ye¹, Xiulai Chen¹, Liming Liu³

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
² Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA.
³ State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China. Electronic address: mingll@jiangnan.edu.cn.

PMID: 31421969
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.07.005

Abstract

Rapid advances in DNA synthesis, genetic manipulation, and biosensors have greatly improved the ability to engineer microorganisms with complex functions. By accurately integrating quality biosensors and complex genetic circuits, recently emerged smart microorganisms have enabled exciting opportunities for dissecting complex signaling networks and making responses without artificial intervention. However, because of the lack of design principles, developing such smart microorganisms remains challenging. In this review, we propose the concept of smart microbial engineering (SME) and describe the general features of basic SME, including the circuit architecture, components, and design process. We also summarize the latest SME achievements, remaining challenges, and potential solutions in this growing field.

Keywords: applications; genetic circuits; metabolic engineering; microbial engineering; synthetic biology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Biosensing Techniques
DNA Replication
Gene Regulatory Networks*
Genetic Engineering*
Humans
Metabolic Engineering*
Microorganisms, Genetically-Modified*
Signal Transduction
Synthetic Biology / methods*