Perspective on the development of synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors

Jing Yuan; Kankan Zhao; Xiangfeng Tan; Ran Xue; Yuan Zeng; Carlo Ratti; Pankaj Trivedi

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.04.007

Perspective on the development of synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors

Trends Biotechnol. 2023 Oct;41(10):1227-1236. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.04.007. Epub 2023 May 13.

Authors

Jing Yuan¹, Kankan Zhao², Xiangfeng Tan³, Ran Xue⁴, Yuan Zeng⁵, Carlo Ratti⁶, Pankaj Trivedi⁷

Affiliations

¹ Microbiome Network and Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA; Senseable City Lab, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Electronic address: Jing.Yuan@colostate.edu.
² Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
³ Institute of Digital Agriculture, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310021, China.
⁴ Hangzhou Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, China.
⁵ School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech, Blackstone, VA 23824, USA.
⁶ Senseable City Lab, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
⁷ Microbiome Network and Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA.

PMID: 37183053
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.04.007

Abstract

Synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors are a promising technology for detecting and responding to environmental cues and target molecules. SynCom biosensors use engineered microorganisms to create a more complex and diverse sensing system, enabling them to respond to stimuli with enhanced sensitivity and accuracy. Here, we give a definition of SynCom biosensors, outline their construction workflow, and discuss current biosensing technology. We also highlight the challenges and future for developing and optimizing SynCom biosensors and the potential applications in agriculture and food management, biotherapeutic development, home sensing, urban and environmental monitoring, and the One Health foundation. We believe SynCom biosensors could be used in a real-time and remote-controlled manner to sense the chaos of constantly dynamic environments.

Keywords: SynCom biosensor; cell-free biosensor; consortia biosensor; synthetic microbial communities; whole-cell biosensor.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Biosensing Techniques*
Microorganisms, Genetically-Modified*