A modular cell-based biosensor using engineered genetic logic circuits to detect and integrate multiple environmental signals

Abstract

Cells perceive a wide variety of cellular and environmental signals, which are often processed combinatorially to generate particular phenotypic responses. Here, we employ both single and mixed cell type populations, pre-programmed with engineered modular cell signalling and sensing circuits, as processing units to detect and integrate multiple environmental signals. Based on an engineered modular genetic AND logic gate, we report the construction of a set of scalable synthetic microbe-based biosensors comprising exchangeable sensory, signal processing and actuation modules. These cellular biosensors were engineered using distinct signalling sensory modules to precisely identify various chemical signals, and combinations thereof, with a quantitative fluorescent output. The genetic logic gate used can function as a biological filter and an amplifier to enhance the sensing selectivity and sensitivity of cell-based biosensors. In particular, an Escherichia coli consortium-based biosensor has been constructed that can detect and integrate three environmental signals (arsenic, mercury and copper ion levels) via either its native two-component signal transduction pathways or synthetic signalling sensors derived from other bacteria in combination with a cell-cell communication module. We demonstrate how a modular cell-based biosensor can be engineered predictably using exchangeable synthetic gene circuit modules to sense and integrate multiple-input signals. This study illustrates some of the key practical design principles required for the future application of these biosensors in broad environmental and healthcare areas.

Synthetic biology expands chemical control of microorganisms

“…B) Whole cell effectors (purple circle) drastically alter cellular behavior allowing microorganisms to carry out a variety of functions. Effectors can give microorganisms the ability to incorporate signals from multiple sensors [1-4], to fight pathogens (left) [5*-11], and coordinate microbial metabolism to produce useful compounds (right) [12-17*]. C) Chemicals (red triangles), sensors (blue polygons), and effectors (purple circles) can coordinate populations of multiple cells, strains, or species with specialized abilities to detect or produce chemical stimuli resulting in the performance of tasks with labor shared among the population [18-25**,26,27].…”

Coupling anaerobic bacteria and microbial fuel cells as whole-cell environmental biosensors

“…Such systems have utilised Boolean logic gate ideas, which are based on modular computer based decision circuits, such as AND, NOT and OR gates 10,19 . For example, for an AND gate, two inputs must be present for a target gene to be transcribed.…”

Engineered genetic information processing circuits

“…Other modules, such as pulse generators and genetic counters,35 have been experimentally constructed for biological computation and function controlling. Comprehensive discussions about these and other topics can be found in other relevant literature 15,17,18,45,46,48,120–123…”