Phenotypically Complex Living Materials Containing Engineered Cyanobacteria

Abstract

A cyanobacterial photosynthetic biocomposite material was fabricated using 3D-printing and bioengineered to produce multiple functional outputs in response to an external chemical stimulus. Our investigations show the advantages of utilizing additive manufacturing techniques in controlling the design and shape of the fabricated materials, which proved to be important for the support and growth of obligate phototrophic microorganisms within the material. As an initial proof-of-concept, a synthetic theophylline-responsive riboswitch inSynechococcus elongatusPCC 7942 was used for regulating the expression of a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) reporter. Upon induction with theophylline, the encapsulated cells produced YFP within the hydrogel matrix. Subsequently, a strain ofS. elongatuswas engineered to produce an oxidative enzyme that is useful for bioremediation, laccase, expressed either constitutively or under the control of the riboswitch. The responsive biomaterial can decolorize a common textile dye pollutant, indigo carmine, potentially serving as a useful tool in environmental bioremediation. Finally, cells were engineered to have the capacity for inducible cell death to eliminate their presence once their activity is no longer required, which is an important function for biocontainment and minimizing unintended environmental impact. By integrating genetically engineered stimuli-responsive cyanobacteria in patterned volumetric 3D-printed designs, we demonstrate the potential of programmable photosynthetic biocomposite materials capable of producing functional outputs including, but not limited to, bioremediation.

Sustainable protein production through genetic engineering of cyanobacteria and use of atmospheric N2 gas

“…Alkaloids, lipids, terpenes, and polysaccharides, for example, are connected with cyanobacteria and have a variety of positive effects on the skin (Dwivedi & Ahmad, 2022; Morone et al., 2022). Yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)‐engineered synthetic cyanobacteria are frequently used as decolorizing agents in textile dye pollutants and have potential as tools for environmental bioremediation (Datta et al., 2023). In addition, in the FPs chromophore, there is a chromophore called a photosensitizer, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) after irradiation with light, and then inactivate the target protein, that is, the chromophore‐assisted light inactivation (CALI) technology (Bulina et al., 2006; Hilgers et al., 2019) can cause damage to DNA, protein, fat, etc., affect cell metabolism or cell proliferation, and induce cell death (Entcheva & Kay, 2021).…”

Light management by algal aggregates in living photosynthetic hydrogels

“…The escalating demand for novel materials with biomimetic functionalities has stimulated the development of so-called biohybrid systems, which are typically comprised of a soft hydrogel matrix hosting living cells that can perform various functions (1-4). Biohybrids incorporating photosynthetic organisms such as photosynthetic bacteria or microalgae have been proposed for diverse applications, ranging from chemical sensing (5-7), bioremediation (8), biotransformation (9), cell regeneration (10), bioelectronics (11, 12), hydrogen generation (13), and energy production by artificial leaves (14).…”

The Colibactin-ProducingEscherichia colialters the tumor microenvironment to immunosuppressive lipid overload facilitating colorectal cancer progression and chemoresistance

“…10,11 This suggests that CoPEC may contribute to the recurrence of CRC. Accordingly, it has been established that the colibactin induces double-strand breaks (DSBs) 12 as well as generates DNA adducts 13 and genomic aberrations with an increased mutational load 14,15 . This led to the identification of a specific DNA damage signature with an AT-rich hexameric sequence motif in tumors of patients that have been colonized by CoPEC strains 16 .…”