A microgravity responsive synthetic genetic device in Escherichia coli

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology
• Space bioengineering
• Cellular engineering

Background:

• Human space travel necessitates bioengineering solutions that account for microgravity.
• Developing cellular devices responsive to microgravity is crucial for integrating physical signals into biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, fabricate, and characterize the first microgravity-responsive biochemical and cellular device.
• To demonstrate the integration of microgravity as a physical signal within engineered biological systems.

Main Methods:

• Engineered a genetic circuit in E.coli utilizing HfQ protein deregulation and synthetic small regulatory RNAs to control enhanced green fluorescent gene (EGFP) expression.
• Validated the device's universality by modifying target genes (EGFP, TdTomato, FtsZ) and promoters.
• Applied the device to modulate the cell division regulator FtsZ.

Main Results:

• The device showed a ~28-fold reduction in EGFP silencing under microgravity.
• Demonstrated successful device function with various genes and promoters in E.coli.
• Microgravity rescued the elongated cell shape caused by targeting FtsZ in normal gravity.

Conclusions:

• Successfully created the first microgravity-responsive genetic device for E.coli.
• Established a universal platform for integrating microgravity as a physical signal in cellular processes.
• The technology holds potential significance for space bioengineering and synthetic biology.