pH Feedback Lifecycles Programmed by Enzymatic Logic Gates Using Common Foods as Fuels

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Synthetic Biology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Artificial temporal signaling systems are advancing but face challenges in complex, biocompatible environments.
• Programming temporal signals using enzymatic reaction networks remains a significant hurdle.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a method for programming temporal pH signals using enzymatic logic gates.
• To create a robust and biocompatible system for temporal signaling.

Main Methods:

• Enzymatic reaction cascades using invertase-glucose oxidase and β-galactosidase-glucose oxidase to convert disaccharides to sugar acids.
• Utilizing enzymatic logic gates to control pH signal generation and lifetime.
• Coupling the system with a self-regulating hydrogel for operation in complex media.

Main Results:

• Successfully programmed transient pH signal lifetimes ranging from under 15 minutes to over 1 day.
• Investigated enzymatic kinetics and elucidated regulatory mechanisms of the reaction cascades.
• Demonstrated robustness in complex, multicomponent, and unknown environments using food-grade chemicals.

Conclusions:

• The developed enzymatic logic gate system provides a robust and programmable approach for temporal pH signaling.
• The biocompatible nature and adaptability to complex media open possibilities for applications in biological systems.
• This work advances the design of artificial out-of-equilibrium systems with tunable temporal dynamics.