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Design, Surface Treatment, Cellular Plating, and Culturing of Modular Neuronal Networks Composed of Functionally Inter-connected Circuits

Design, Surface Treatment, Cellular Plating, and Culturing of Modular Neuronal Networks Composed of Functionally Inter-connected Circuits

Published on: April 15, 2015

Rewiring human cellular input-output using modular extracellular sensors.

Kelly A Schwarz^1,2, Nichole M Daringer¹, Taylor B Dolberg^1,2

¹Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA.

Nature Chemical Biology

|December 13, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists engineered modular extracellular sensor architecture (MESA) to create biosensor cells. These engineered T cells sense vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and produce interleukin 2 (IL-2), enabling new cell-based therapies.

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Area of Science:

Cellular engineering
Immunotherapy
Synthetic biology

Background:

Cell-based therapies offer promise for treating diseases.
Engineering cells to sense and respond to environmental cues is crucial.
Existing tools for cellular sensing and response are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel biosensor engineering strategy for cells.
To create cells that can sense specific extracellular factors and trigger a response.
To enable customized cellular functions for therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

Developed a modular extracellular sensor architecture (MESA) system.
Engineered MESA receptors to detect vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Implemented MESA in human T cells to induce interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion.

Main Results:

Successfully created T cells that sense VEGF and secrete IL-2.
Demonstrated a novel, engineered cellular response to an immunosuppressive cue.
Showcased the modularity of the MESA platform for sensing and output.

Conclusions:

The MESA platform provides a generalizable approach for rewiring cellular functions.
This strategy can enable novel cell-based therapies and advance biological research.
Engineered cells can be programmed to sense and respond to specific environmental signals.