Partners for life: building microbial consortia for the future

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology
• Microbial consortia
• Biotechnology

Background:

• New technologies facilitate the design, construction, and analysis of complex microbial consortia.
• These advancements are driving the implementation of consortium-based bioprocessing.
• Synthetic biology offers promises of higher efficiencies, superior resiliency, augmented capabilities, and modular bioprocessing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To chronicle progress in tools and techniques for microbial consortium development.
• To highlight advancements in population control, division of labor, and spatial organization.
• To showcase applications of microbial consortia in various industrial sectors.

Main Methods:

• Screening tools
• Computational tools
• Biomolecular tools
• Machine learning
• Biocontainment strategies
• Standardization efforts

Main Results:

• Development of robust population control mechanisms.
• Efficient division of labor within consortia.
• Programmatic spatial organization of microbial communities.
• Advancements in machine learning, biocontainment, and standardization for bioprocessing.
• Demonstrated applications in medicine, energy, waste sustainability, chemical production, agriculture, and biosensors.

Conclusions:

• Complex community structures are increasingly utilized across the biotechnology spectrum.
• Further growth areas will continue to promote the adoption of microbial consortia.
• Synthetic biology is key to unlocking the full potential of consortium-based bioprocessing.