Genetically encoded biosensors for microbial synthetic biology: From conceptual frameworks to practical applications

Wenwen Yu; Xianhao Xu; Ke Jin; Yanfeng Liu; Jianghua Li; Guocheng Du; Xueqin Lv; Long Liu

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108077

Genetically encoded biosensors for microbial synthetic biology: From conceptual frameworks to practical applications

Biotechnol Adv. 2023 Jan-Feb:62:108077. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108077. Epub 2022 Dec 9.

Authors

Wenwen Yu¹, Xianhao Xu¹, Ke Jin¹, Yanfeng Liu¹, Jianghua Li¹, Guocheng Du², Xueqin Lv¹, Long Liu³

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
² Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China. Electronic address: longliu@jiangnan.edu.cn.

PMID: 36502964
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108077

Abstract

Genetically encoded biosensors are the vital components of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, as they are regarded as powerful devices for the dynamic control of genotype metabolism and evolution/screening of desirable phenotypes. This review summarized the recent advances in the construction and applications of different genetically encoded biosensors, including fluorescent protein-based biosensors, nucleic acid-based biosensors, allosteric transcription factor-based biosensors and two-component system-based biosensors. First, the construction frameworks of these biosensors were outlined. Then, the recent progress of biosensor applications in creating versatile microbial cell factories for the bioproduction of high-value chemicals was summarized. Finally, the challenges and prospects for constructing robust and sophisticated biosensors were discussed. This review provided theoretical guidance for constructing genetically encoded biosensors to create desirable microbial cell factories for sustainable bioproduction.

Keywords: Construction framework; Dynamic control; Genetically encoded biosensor; Metabolic engineering; Microbial cell factory; Synthetic biology.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Biosensing Techniques*
Gene Expression Regulation
Metabolic Engineering
Synthetic Biology*
Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

Transcription Factors