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Engineered acetoacetate-inducible whole-cell biosensors based on the AtoSC two-component system
Jack W Rutter1, Linda Dekker1, Alex J H Fedorec1
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|July 21, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed novel whole-cell biosensors using bacterial two-component systems (TCS) to detect acetoacetate. These biosensors offer a promising alternative for medical and industrial monitoring applications.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic biology
- Biotechnology
- Microbial engineering
Background:
- Whole-cell biosensors leverage bacterial sensing mechanisms, particularly two-component systems (TCS), for diverse applications.
- Acetoacetate is a molecule with significant roles in human health and biology, necessitating accurate detection methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct novel whole-cell biosensors for acetoacetate detection.
- To utilize the AtoSC two-component system for biosensor development.
- To inform biosensor design through mathematical modeling and sensitivity analysis.
Main Methods:
- Repurposing of bacterial two-component systems (TCS).
- Development of an ordinary differential equation model for the AtoSC TCS.
- Sensitivity analysis of the developed model.
- Construction and testing of biosensors in Escherichia coli host strains.
Main Results:
- Novel biosensors sensitive to acetoacetate were successfully constructed.
- Biosensors exhibited a range of switching behaviors at physiologically relevant acetoacetate concentrations.
- The developed biosensors are functional in multiple Escherichia coli host strains.
Conclusions:
- The novel acetoacetate biosensors offer a potential alternative to current commercial strip tests.
- These biosensor strains could be valuable for in vivo and industrial monitoring applications.
- The study demonstrates the utility of TCS repurposing for creating targeted biosensing tools.
