scholarly journals Engineering lithoheterotrophy in an obligate chemolithoautotrophic Fe(II) oxidizing bacterium

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhiney Jain ◽  
Jeffrey A. Gralnick
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Solid Medium ◽  
Genetic System ◽  
Carbon Oxidation ◽  
Genomic Information ◽  
Functional Understanding ◽  
Cell Densities ◽  
Chemolithoautotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Synthetic Biology Approach ◽  
Metabolic Byproduct

ABSTRACTNeutrophilic Fe(II) oxidizing bacteria like Mariprofundus ferrooxydans are obligate chemolithoautotrophic bacteria that play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and other elements in multiple environments. These bacteria generally exhibit a singular metabolic mode of growth which prohibits comparative “omics” studies. Furthermore, these bacteria are considered non-amenable to classical genetic methods due to low cell densities, the inability to form colonies on solid medium, and production of copious amounts of insoluble iron oxyhydroxides as their metabolic byproduct. Consequently, the functional understanding of these bacteria remains speculative despite the availability of substantial genomic information. Here we develop the first genetic system in neutrophilic Fe(II) oxidizing bacterium and use it to engineer lithoheterotrophy in M. ferrooxydans, a metabolism that has been speculated but not experimentally validated. Our work suggests that M. ferroxydans partitions energy generation from carbon oxidation. This synthetic biology approach could be extended to gain physiological understanding and domesticate other bacteria that grow using a single metabolic mode.

scholarly journals Engineering lithoheterotrophy in an obligate chemolithoautotrophic Fe(II) oxidizing bacterium

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhiney Jain ◽  
Jeffrey A. Gralnick
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Solid Medium ◽  
Genetic System ◽  
Genomic Information ◽  
Iron Oxyhydroxides ◽  
Classical Genetic ◽  
Cell Densities ◽  
Chemolithoautotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Synthetic Biology Approach ◽  
Metabolic Byproduct

AbstractNeutrophilic Fe(II) oxidizing bacteria like Mariprofundus ferrooxydans are obligate chemolithoautotrophic bacteria that play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and other elements in multiple environments. These bacteria generally exhibit a singular metabolic mode of growth which prohibits comparative “omics” studies. Furthermore, these bacteria are considered non-amenable to classical genetic methods due to low cell densities, the inability to form colonies on solid medium, and production of copious amounts of insoluble iron oxyhydroxides as their metabolic byproduct. Consequently, the molecular and biochemical understanding of these bacteria remains speculative despite the availability of substantial genomic information. Here we develop the first genetic system in neutrophilic Fe(II) oxidizing bacterium and use it to engineer lithoheterotrophy in M. ferrooxydans, a metabolism that has been speculated but not experimentally validated. This synthetic biology approach could be extended to gain physiological understanding and domesticate other bacteria that grow using a single metabolic mode.

scholarly journals A Synthetic Biology Approach Using Engineered Bacteria to Detect Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Contamination in Water

2021 ◽  
Vol 186 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 801-807
Author(s):  
Nathaniel A Young ◽  
Ryan L Lambert ◽  
Angela M Buch ◽  
Christen L Dahl ◽  
Jackson D Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Detection System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Engineered Bacteria ◽  
Synthetic Biology Approach ◽  
Rhodococcus Jostii

ABSTRACT Introduction Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic compounds used industrially for a wide variety of applications. These PFAS compounds are very stable and persist in the environment. The PFAS contamination is a growing health issue as these compounds have been reported to impact human health and have been detected in both domestic and global water sources. Contaminated water found on military bases poses a potentially serious health concern for active duty military, their families, and the surrounding communities. Previous detection methods for PFAS in contaminated water samples require expensive and time-consuming testing protocols that limit the ability to detect this important global pollutant. The main objective of this work was to develop a novel detection system that utilizes a biological reporter and engineered bacteria as a way to rapidly and efficiently detect PFAS contamination. Materials and Methods The United States Air Force Academy International Genetically Engineered Machine team is genetically engineering Rhodococcus jostii strain RHA1 to contain novel DNA sequences composed of a propane 2-monooxygenase alpha (prmA) promoter and monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP). The prmA promoter is activated in the presence of PFAS and transcribes the mRFP reporter. Results The recombinant R. jostii containing the prmA promoter and mRFP reporter respond to exposure of PFAS by activating gene expression of the mRFP. At 100 µM of perfluorooctanoic acid, the mRFP expression was increased 3-fold (qRT-PCR). Rhodococcus jostii without exposure to PFAS compounds had no mRFP expression. Conclusions This novel detection system represents a synthetic biology approach to more efficiently detect PFAS in contaminated samples. With further refinement and modifications, a similar system could be readily deployed in the field around the world to detect this critical pollutant.

How To Make a Glycopeptide: A Synthetic Biology Approach To Expand Antibiotic Chemical Diversity

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (9) ◽  
pp. 642-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Yim ◽  
Wenliang Wang ◽  
Maulik N. Thaker ◽  
Stephanie Tan ◽  
Gerard D. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Synthetic Biology Approach

scholarly journals A sustainable synthetic biology approach for the control of the invasive golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro F Rebelo ◽  
Luana F Afonso ◽  
Juliana A Americo ◽  
Lucas da Silva ◽  
José L B Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
South American ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Limnoperna Fortunei ◽  
Invasive Mussel ◽  
Golden Mussel ◽  
And Control ◽  
Synthetic Biology Approach

The recent development of the CRISPR-Cas9-based gene drive has created the conditions to seriously consider this technology to solve one of the major environmental challenges in biodiversity conservation i.e. the control of invasive species. There is no efficient control method for golden mussel infestation available so far. Here we discuss the technical and economic feasibility of using a synthetic biology based approach to fight and control the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei in South American rivers and reservoirs.

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