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A Synthetic Bacterial Cell-Cell Adhesion Toolbox for Programming Multicellular Morphologies and Patterns.

David S Glass1, Ingmar H Riedel-Kruse1

  • 1Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Cell
|July 24, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists engineered a synthetic platform for controlling how bacterial cells stick together. This genetic tool allows for precise assembly of multicellular structures, advancing synthetic biology and the study of early life evolution.

Keywords:
adhesionmorphologymulticellularitynanobodiespatterningself-assemblyself-organizationsynthetic biology

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Area of Science:

  • Synthetic Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Synthetic multicellular systems offer powerful models for studying natural development and engineering complex biological functions.
  • Current limitations in controlling cellular adhesion hinder the precise assembly of these systems.
  • A need exists for genetically encoded tools to direct cell-cell interactions and multicellular organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a 100% genetically encoded synthetic platform for modular cell-cell adhesion in Escherichia coli.
  • To provide precise control over multicellular self-assembly and organization.
  • To enable the rational design of defined multicellular morphologies and patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a library of outer membrane-displayed nanobodies and antigens for selective cell adhesion.
  • Engineered orthogonal specificities within the adhesion system.
  • Controlled adhesion affinity through intrinsic adhesin properties, competitive inhibition, and inducible expression.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated quantitative rational design of well-defined morphologies and patterns.
  • Achieved control over multicellular self-assembly via homophilic and heterophilic interactions.
  • Showcased capabilities for lattice-like assembly, phase separation, differential adhesion, and sequential layering.

Conclusions:

  • The developed synthetic adhesion platform provides modular control over Escherichia coli multicellularity.
  • This toolbox enables the construction of high-level multicellular designs and complex biological materials.
  • The system offers insights into the evolutionary transition from unicellular to multicellular life.