Exploring Host-Microbiome Interactions using an in Silico Model of Biomimetic Robots and Engineered Living Cells

Abstract

The microbiome’s underlying dynamics play an important role in regulating the behavior and health of its host. In order to explore the details of these interactions, we created an in silico model of a living microbiome, engineered with synthetic biology, that interfaces with a biomimetic, robotic host. By analytically modeling and computationally simulating engineered gene networks in these commensal communities, we reproduced complex behaviors in the host. We observed that robot movements depended upon programmed biochemical network dynamics within the microbiome. These results illustrate the model’s potential utility as a tool for exploring inter-kingdom ecological relationships. These systems could impact fields ranging from synthetic biology and ecology to biophysics and medicine.

Scorpion and Frog Organ Lysates are Potential Source of Antitumour Activity

“…Therefore, further studies should be conducted to assess whether the anticancer potential is mainly due to the gastrointestinal lysate or the secretions from the gut microbiota. Since the gut microbiota is known to be beneficial to its host (Heyde and Ruder, 2015;Louis et al, 2014;Kang et al, 2017;Kelly et al, 2017;Zhou et al, 2017). Moreover, studies have shown that the metabolites synthesized by the gut microbiota are transported to the brain through the blood (Belkaid and Hand, 2014;Clos-Garcia et al, 2019).…”

Engineering control circuits for molecular robots using synthetic biology

“…Apart from using genetic toggle switches in microrobots, macroscale robots can adopt synthetic biology tools as their perception-action loop modules. Heyde and Ruder proposed using engineered bacteria equipped with genetic toggle switches to maneuver a biomimetic, macroscale robot 12 [ Fig. 8(c) ].…”

“…For example, Heyde and Ruder showed using the engineered microbiome in microbiome–host interactions to affect host behaviors. 12 In a bio-inspired swimming robot ray developed by Park and co-workers, cardiomyocytes powered the actuation and served as a perception-action module. 13 The way batoid fish swim is highly energy-efficient, which is a desirable trait in robotic systems.…”

Gut microbiome and human health under the space environment

“…The gut microbiome is well recognized to have a pivotal role in the regulation of the health and behaviour of its’ host (Heyde and Ruder 2015). Recently, there has been a plethora of studies on the human microbiome.…”