1
|
O'Connor E, Micklefield J, Cai Y. Searching for the optimal microbial factory: high-throughput biosensors and analytical techniques for screening small molecules. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103125. [PMID: 38547587 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
High-throughput screening technologies have been lacking in comparison to the plethora of high-throughput genetic diversification techniques developed in biotechnology. This review explores the challenges and advancements in high-throughput screening for high-value natural products, focusing on the critical need to expand ligand targets for biosensors and increase the throughput of analytical techniques in screening microbial cell libraries for optimal strain performance. The engineering techniques to broaden the scope of ligands for biosensors, such as transcription factors, G protein-coupled receptors and riboswitches are discussed. On the other hand, integration of microfluidics with traditional analytical methods is explored, covering fluorescence-activated cell sorting, Raman-activated cell sorting and mass spectrometry, emphasising recent developments in maximising throughput.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eloise O'Connor
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Jason Micklefield
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Yizhi Cai
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Leal-Alves C, Deng Z, Kermeci N, Shih SCC. Integrating microfluidics and synthetic biology: advancements and diverse applications across organisms. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2834-2860. [PMID: 38712893 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01090b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic biology is the design and modification of biological systems for specific functions, integrating several disciplines like engineering, genetics, and computer science. The field of synthetic biology is to understand biological processes within host organisms through the manipulation and regulation of their genetic pathways and the addition of biocontrol circuits to enhance their production capabilities. This pursuit serves to address global challenges spanning diverse domains that are difficult to tackle through conventional routes of production. Despite its impact, achieving precise, dynamic, and high-throughput manipulation of biological processes is still challenging. Microfluidics offers a solution to those challenges, enabling controlled fluid handling at the microscale, offering lower reagent consumption, faster analysis of biochemical reactions, automation, and high throughput screening. In this review, we diverge from conventional focus on automating the synthetic biology design-build-test-learn cycle, and instead, focus on microfluidic platforms and their role in advancing synthetic biology through its integration with host organisms - bacterial cells, yeast, fungi, animal cells - and cell-free systems. The review illustrates how microfluidic devices have been instrumental in understanding biological systems by showcasing microfluidics as an essential tool to create synthetic genetic circuits, pathways, and organisms within controlled environments. In conclusion, we show how microfluidics expedite synthetic biology applications across diverse domains including but not limited to personalized medicine, bioenergy, and agriculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Leal-Alves
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W, Montréal, QC, H3G1M8 Canada
| | - Zhiyang Deng
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W, Montréal, QC, H3G1M8 Canada
| | - Natalia Kermeci
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada.
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada
| | - Steve C C Shih
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1515 Ste-Catherine St. W, Montréal, QC, H3G1M8 Canada
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC, H4B1R6 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marsan CB, Lee SG, Nguyen A, Gordillo Sierra AR, Coleman SM, Brooks SM, Alper HS. Leveraging a Y. lipolytica naringenin chassis for biosynthesis of apigenin and associated glucoside. Metab Eng 2024; 83:1-11. [PMID: 38447910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Flavonoids are a diverse set of natural products with promising bioactivities including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective properties. Previously, the oleaginous host Yarrowia lipolytica has been engineered to produce high titers of the base flavonoid naringenin. Here, we leverage this host along with a set of E. coli bioconversion strains to produce the flavone apigenin and its glycosylated derivative isovitexin, two potential nutraceutical and pharmaceutical candidates. Through downstream strain selection, co-culture optimization, media composition, and mutant isolation, we were able to produce168 mg/L of apigenin, representing a 46% conversion rate of 2-(R/S)-naringenin to apigenin. This apigenin platform was modularly extended to produce isovitexin by addition of a second bioconversion strain. Together, these results demonstrate the promise of microbial production and modular bioconversion to access diversified flavonoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celeste B Marsan
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Sung Gyung Lee
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Ankim Nguyen
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Angela R Gordillo Sierra
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Sarah M Coleman
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Sierra M Brooks
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA; Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Program, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Reed KB, d'Oelsnitz S, Brooks SM, Wells J, Zhao M, Trivedi A, Eshraghi S, Alper HS. Fluorescence-Based Screens for Engineering Enzymes Linked to Halogenated Tryptophan. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1373-1381. [PMID: 38533851 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Directed evolution is often limited by the throughput of accurate screening methods. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing a singular transcription factor (TF)-system that can be refactored in two ways (both as an activator and repressor). Specifically, we showcase the use of previously evolved 5-halo- or 6-halo-tryptophan-specific TF biosensors suitable for the detection of a halogenated tryptophan molecule in vivo. We subsequently validate the biosensor's utility for two halogenase-specific halo-tryptophan accumulation screens. First, we isolated 5-tryptophan-halogenase, XsHal, from a mixed pool of halogenases with 100% efficiency. Thereafter, we generated a targeted library of the catalytic residue of 6-tryptophan halogenase, Th-Hal, and isolated functioning halogenases with 100% efficiency. Lastly, we refactor the TF circuit to respond to the depletion of halogenated tryptophan and prototype a high-throughput biosensor-directed evolution scheme to screen for downstream enzyme variants capable of promiscuously converting halogenated tryptophan. Altogether, this work takes a significant step toward the rapid and higher throughput screening of halogenases and halo-tryptophan converting enzymes to further reinforce efforts to enable high-level bioproduction of halogenated chemicals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B Reed
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E. Dean Keeton Street Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Simon d'Oelsnitz
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway Avenue, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | | | - Jordan Wells
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E. Dean Keeton Street Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Minye Zhao
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E. Dean Keeton Street Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Adit Trivedi
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E. Dean Keeton Street Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Selina Eshraghi
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E. Dean Keeton Street Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Hal S Alper
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 200 E. Dean Keeton Street Stop C0400, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway Avenue, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Babaei M, Thomsen PT, Pastor MC, Jensen MK, Borodina I. Coupling High-Throughput and Targeted Screening for Identification of Nonobvious Metabolic Engineering Targets. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:168-182. [PMID: 38141039 PMCID: PMC10804409 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Identification of metabolic engineering targets is a fundamental challenge in strain development programs. While high-throughput (HTP) genetic engineering methodologies capable of generating vast diversity are being developed at a rapid rate, a majority of industrially interesting molecules cannot be screened at sufficient throughput to leverage these techniques. We propose a workflow that couples HTP screening of common precursors (e.g., amino acids) that can be screened either directly or by artificial biosensors, with low-throughput targeted validation of the molecule of interest to uncover nonintuitive beneficial metabolic engineering targets and combinations hereof. Using this workflow, we identified several nonobvious novel targets for improving p-coumaric acid (p-CA) and l-DOPA production from two large 4k gRNA libraries each deregulating 1000 metabolic genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We initially screened yeast cells transformed with gRNA library plasmids for individual regulatory targets improving the production of l-tyrosine-derived betaxanthins, identifying 30 targets that increased intracellular betaxanthin content 3.5-5.7 fold. Hereafter, we screened the targets individually in a high-producing p-CA strain, narrowing down the targets to six that increased the secreted titer by up to 15%. To investigate whether any of the six targets could be additively combined to improve p-CA production further, we created a gRNA multiplexing library and subjected it to our proposed coupled workflow. The combination of regulating PYC1 and NTH2 simultaneously resulted in the highest (threefold) improvement of the betaxanthin content, and an additive trend was also observed in the p-CA strain. Lastly, we tested the initial 30 targets in a l-DOPA producing strain, identifying 10 targets that increased the secreted titer by up to 89%, further validating our screening by proxy workflow. This coupled approach is useful for strain development in the absence of direct HTP screening assays for products of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Babaei
- Novo Nordisk Foundation
Center
for Biosustainability, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Philip Tinggaard Thomsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation
Center
for Biosustainability, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marc Cernuda Pastor
- Novo Nordisk Foundation
Center
for Biosustainability, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Michael Krogh Jensen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation
Center
for Biosustainability, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Irina Borodina
- Novo Nordisk Foundation
Center
for Biosustainability, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zheng D, Zhang J, Jiang W, Xu Y, Meng H, Poh CL, Chen CH. Graphene oxide aptasensor droplet assay for detection of metabolites secreted by single cells applied to synthetic biology. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 24:137-147. [PMID: 38054213 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00959a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology harnesses the power of natural microbes by re-engineering metabolic pathways to manufacture desired compounds. Droplet technology has emerged as a high-throughput tool to screen single cells for synthetic biology, while the challenges in sensitive flexible single-cell secretion assay for bioproduction of high-value chemicals remained. Here, a novel droplet modifiable graphene oxide (GO) aptasensor was developed, enabling sensitive flexible detection of different target compounds secreted from single cells. Fluorophore-labeled aptamers were stably anchored on GO through π-π stacking interactions to minimize the non-specific interactions for low-background detection of target compounds with high signal-to-noise ratios. The assay's versatility was exhibited by adapting aptamer sequences to measure metabolic secretions like ATP and naringenin. To show the case, engineered E. coli were constructed for the bioproduction of naringenin. The high signal-to-noise ratio assay (∼2.72) was approached to precisely measure the naringenins secreted from single E. coli in the droplets. Consequently, secretory cells (Gib) were clearly distinguished from wild-type (WT) cells, with a low overlap in cell populations (∼0%) for bioproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583, Singapore.
| | - Jingyun Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583, Singapore.
| | - Wenxin Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Haixu Meng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chueh Loo Poh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583, Singapore.
| | - Chia-Hung Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen Virtual University Park, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pourmasoumi F, Hengoju S, Beck K, Stephan P, Klopfleisch L, Hoernke M, Rosenbaum MA, Kries H. Analysing Megasynthetase Mutants at High Throughput Using Droplet Microfluidics. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300680. [PMID: 37804133 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are giant enzymatic assembly lines that deliver many pharmaceutically valuable natural products, including antibiotics. As the search for new antibiotics motivates attempts to redesign nonribosomal metabolic pathways, more robust and rapid sorting and screening platforms are needed. Here, we establish a microfluidic platform that reliably detects production of the model nonribosomal peptide gramicidin S. The detection is based on calcein-filled sensor liposomes yielding increased fluorescence upon permeabilization. From a library of NRPS mutants, the sorting platform enriches the gramicidin S producer 14.5-fold, decreases internal stop codons 250-fold, and generates enrichment factors correlating with enzyme activity. Screening for NRPS activity with a reliable non-binary sensor will enable more sophisticated structure-activity studies and new engineering applications in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Pourmasoumi
- Junior Research Group Biosynthetic Design of Natural Products, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sundar Hengoju
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Katharina Beck
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Hermann-Herder-Str. 9, 79104, Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | - Philipp Stephan
- Junior Research Group Biosynthetic Design of Natural Products, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Lukas Klopfleisch
- Junior Research Group Biosynthetic Design of Natural Products, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Maria Hoernke
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Hermann-Herder-Str. 9, 79104, Freiburg i. Br., Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry, Martin-Luther-Universität, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06108, Halle (S.), Germany
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Hajo Kries
- Junior Research Group Biosynthetic Design of Natural Products, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhu B, Du Z, Dai Y, Kitaguchi T, Behrens S, Seelig B. Nanodroplet-Based Reagent Delivery into Water-in-Fluorinated-Oil Droplets. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:768. [PMID: 37622854 PMCID: PMC10452409 DOI: 10.3390/bios13080768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
In vitro compartmentalization (IVC) is a technique for generating water-in-oil microdroplets to establish the genotype (DNA information)-phenotype (biomolecule function) linkage required by many biological applications. Recently, fluorinated oils have become more widely used for making microdroplets due to their better biocompatibility. However, it is difficult to perform multi-step reactions requiring the addition of reagents in water-in-fluorinated-oil microdroplets. On-chip droplet manipulation is usually used for such purposes, but it may encounter some technical issues such as low throughput or time delay of reagent delivery into different microdroplets. Hence, to overcome the above issues, we demonstrated a nanodroplet-based approach for the delivery of copper ions and middle-sized peptide molecules (human p53 peptide, 2 kDa). We confirmed the ion delivery by microscopic inspection of crystal formation inside the microdroplet, and confirmed the peptide delivery using a fluorescent immunosensor. We believe that this nanodroplet-based delivery method is a promising approach to achieving precise control for a broad range of fluorocarbon IVC-based biological applications, including molecular evolution, cell factory engineering, digital nucleic acid detection, or drug screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Zhe Du
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Center for Environmental Health Risk Assessment and Research, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yancen Dai
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kitaguchi
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Sebastian Behrens
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Burckhard Seelig
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jiang J, Yang G, Ma F. Fluorescence coupling strategies in fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) for ultrahigh-throughput screening of enzymes, metabolites, and antibodies. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 66:108173. [PMID: 37169102 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) has emerged as a powerful tool for ultrahigh-throughput screening of enzymes, metabolites, and antibodies. Fluorescence coupling strategies (FCSs) are key to the development of new FADS methods through their coupling of analyte properties such as concentration, activities, and affinity with fluorescence signals. Over the last decade, a series of FCSs have been developed, greatly expanding applications of FADS. Here, we review recent advances in FCS for different analyte types, providing a critical comparison of the available FCSs and further classification into four categories according to their principles. We also summarize successful FADS applications employing FCSs in enzymes, metabolites, and antibodies. Further, we outline possible future developments in this area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjie Jiang
- Medical Enzyme Engineering Center, CAS Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215163, China
| | - Guangyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Fuqiang Ma
- Medical Enzyme Engineering Center, CAS Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215163, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bowman EK, Nguyen Hoang PT, Gordillo Sierra AR, Vieira Nogueira KM, Alper HS. Temporal sorting of microdroplets can identify productivity differences of itaconic acid from libraries of Yarrowia lipolytica. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2249-2256. [PMID: 37013836 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00020f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microdroplet screening of microorganisms can improve the rate of strain selection and characterization within the canonical design-build-test paradigm. However, a full analysis of the microdroplet environment and how well these conditions translate to culturing conditions and techniques is lacking in the field. Quantification of three different biosensor/analyte combinations at 12 hour timepoints reveals the potential for extended dose-response ranges as compared to traditional in vitro conditions. Using these dynamics, we present an application and analysis of microfluidic droplet screening utilizing whole-cell biosensors, ultimately identifying an altered productivity profile of itaconic acid in a Yarrowia lipolytica-based piggyBac transposon library. Specifically, we demonstrate that the timepoint for microdroplet selection can influence the outcome of the selection and thus shift the identified strain productivity and final titer. In this case, strains selected at earlier timepoints showed increased early productivity in flask scale, with the converse true as well. Differences in response indicate microdroplet assays require tailored development to more accurately sort for phenotypes that are scalable to larger incubation volumes. Likewise, these results further highlight that screening conditions are critical parameters for success in high-throughput applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Bowman
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | | | - Angela R Gordillo Sierra
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Karoline M Vieira Nogueira
- Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Hal S Alper
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
An B, Wang Y, Huang Y, Wang X, Liu Y, Xun D, Church GM, Dai Z, Yi X, Tang TC, Zhong C. Engineered Living Materials For Sustainability. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2349-2419. [PMID: 36512650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in synthetic biology and materials science have given rise to a new form of materials, namely engineered living materials (ELMs), which are composed of living matter or cell communities embedded in self-regenerating matrices of their own or artificial scaffolds. Like natural materials such as bone, wood, and skin, ELMs, which possess the functional capabilities of living organisms, can grow, self-organize, and self-repair when needed. They also spontaneously perform programmed biological functions upon sensing external cues. Currently, ELMs show promise for green energy production, bioremediation, disease treatment, and fabricating advanced smart materials. This review first introduces the dynamic features of natural living systems and their potential for developing novel materials. We then summarize the recent research progress on living materials and emerging design strategies from both synthetic biology and materials science perspectives. Finally, we discuss the positive impacts of living materials on promoting sustainability and key future research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bolin An
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yanyi Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuzhu Liu
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongmin Xun
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - George M Church
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States
| | - Zhuojun Dai
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiao Yi
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tzu-Chieh Tang
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States
| | - Chao Zhong
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Woodcraft C, Chooi YH, Roux I. The expanding CRISPR toolbox for natural product discovery and engineering in filamentous fungi. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:158-173. [PMID: 36205232 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00055e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to May 2022Fungal genetics has transformed natural product research by enabling the elucidation of cryptic metabolites and biosynthetic steps. The enhanced capability to add, subtract, modulate, and rewrite genes via CRISPR/Cas technologies has opened up avenues for the manipulation of biosynthetic gene clusters across diverse filamentous fungi. This review discusses the innovative and diverse strategies for fungal natural product discovery and engineering made possible by CRISPR/Cas-based tools. We also provide a guide into multiple angles of CRISPR/Cas experiment design, and discuss current gaps in genetic tool development for filamentous fungi and the promising opportunities for natural product research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Woodcraft
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Yit-Heng Chooi
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Indra Roux
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yuan SF, Nair PH, Borbon D, Coleman SM, Fan PH, Lin WL, Alper HS. Metabolic engineering of E. coli for β-alanine production using a multi-biosensor enabled approach. Metab Eng 2022; 74:24-35. [PMID: 36067877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
β-alanine is an important biomolecule used in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and chemical synthesis. The relatively eco-friendly bioproduction of β-alanine has recently attracted more interest than petroleum-based chemical synthesis. In this work, we developed two types of in vivo high-throughput screening platforms, wherein one was utilized to identify a novel target ribonuclease E (encoded by rne) as well as a redox-cofactor balancing module that can enhance de novo β-alanine biosynthesis from glucose, and the other was employed for screening fermentation conditions. When combining these approaches with rational upstream and downstream module engineering, an engineered E. coli producer was developed that exhibited 3.4- and 6.6-fold improvement in β-alanine yield (0.85 mol β-alanine/mole glucose) and specific β-alanine production (0.74 g/L/OD600), respectively, compared to the parental strain in a minimal medium. Across all of the strains constructed, the best yielding strain exhibited 1.08 mol β-alanine/mole glucose (equivalent to 81.2% of theoretic yield). The final engineered strain produced 6.98 g/L β-alanine in a batch-mode bioreactor and 34.8 g/L through a whole-cell catalysis. This approach demonstrates the utility of biosensor-enabled high-throughput screening for the production of β-alanine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo-Fu Yuan
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Priya H Nair
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Dominic Borbon
- Biology, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sarah M Coleman
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Po-Hsun Fan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Wen-Ling Lin
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Isogai S, Tominaga M, Kondo A, Ishii J. Plant Flavonoid Production in Bacteria and Yeasts. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2022.880694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids, a major group of secondary metabolites in plants, are promising for use as pharmaceuticals and food supplements due to their health-promoting biological activities. Industrial flavonoid production primarily depends on isolation from plants or organic synthesis, but neither is a cost-effective or sustainable process. In contrast, recombinant microorganisms have significant potential for the cost-effective, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and selective industrial production of flavonoids, making this an attractive alternative to plant-based production or chemical synthesis. Structurally and functionally diverse flavonoids are derived from flavanones such as naringenin, pinocembrin and eriodictyol, the major basic skeletons for flavonoids, by various modifications. The establishment of flavanone-producing microorganisms can therefore be used as a platform for producing various flavonoids. This review summarizes metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies for the microbial production of flavanones. In addition, we describe directed evolution strategies based on recently-developed high-throughput screening technologies for the further improvement of flavanone production. We also describe recent progress in the microbial production of structurally and functionally complicated flavonoids via the flavanone modifications. Strategies based on synthetic biology will aid more sophisticated and controlled microbial production of various flavonoids.
Collapse
|
15
|
Kim NM, Sinnott RW, Rothschild LN, Sandoval NR. Elucidation of Sequence-Function Relationships for an Improved Biobutanol In Vivo Biosensor in E. coli. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:821152. [PMID: 35265600 PMCID: PMC8899819 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.821152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor (TF)–promoter pairs have been repurposed from native hosts to provide tools to measure intracellular biochemical production titer and dynamically control gene expression. Most often, native TF–promoter systems require rigorous screening to obtain desirable characteristics optimized for biotechnological applications. High-throughput techniques may provide a rational and less labor-intensive strategy to engineer user-defined TF–promoter pairs using fluorescence-activated cell sorting and deep sequencing methods (sort-seq). Based on the designed promoter library’s distribution characteristics, we elucidate sequence–function interactions between the TF and DNA. In this work, we use the sort-seq method to study the sequence–function relationship of a σ54-dependent, butanol-responsive TF–promoter pair, BmoR-PBMO derived from Thauera butanivorans, at the nucleotide level to improve biosensor characteristics, specifically an improved dynamic range. Activities of promoters from a mutagenized PBMO library were sorted based on gfp expression and subsequently deep sequenced to correlate site-specific sequences with changes in dynamic range. We identified site-specific mutations that increase the sensor output. Double mutant and a single mutant, CA(129,130)TC and G(205)A, in PBMO promoter increased dynamic ranges of 4-fold and 1.65-fold compared with the native system, respectively. In addition, sort-seq identified essential sites required for the proper function of the σ54-dependent promoter biosensor in the context of the host. This work can enable high-throughput screening methods for strain development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy M Kim
- Interdisciplinary Bioinnovation PhD Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Riley W Sinnott
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Lily N Rothschild
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Nicholas R Sandoval
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| |
Collapse
|