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Synthetic cellular communication-based screening for strains with improved 3-hydroxypropionic acid secretion.

Seungjin Kim¹, Si Hyung Jin², Hyun Gyu Lim¹

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Korea. gyjung@postech.ac.kr.

|October 15, 2021

Summary

This study developed a microfluidic platform to screen for improved secretion of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP). The system identified two genes in Escherichia coli that enhance 3-HP secretion and production.

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Area of Science:

Synthetic biology
Biotechnology
Chemical engineering

Background:

Assessing cellular secretion is challenging due to inefficient analytical methods in industrial biotechnology.
3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is a key platform chemical with significant industrial relevance.
Efficient screening methods are needed to improve the secretion of valuable chemicals from engineered cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel microfluidic platform for high-throughput screening of microbial strains with enhanced secretion capabilities.
To identify genes that improve the secretion and production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP).
To demonstrate the utility of synthetic cellular communication for applied biotechnology.

Main Methods:

A microfluidic droplet-based system was designed to compartmentalize 3-HP secreting cells.
Receiving cells with a specific genetic circuit were used to convert 3-HP secretion into a detectable signal.
The platform was employed to screen for genes in *Escherichia coli* that enhance 3-HP secretion.

Main Results:

The microfluidic platform successfully screened for improved 3-HP secretion.
Two genes, *setA* (sugar exporter) and *yjcO* (Sel1 repeat-containing protein), were identified as enhancing 3-HP secretion.
These identified genes also led to increased 3-HP production.

Conclusions:

The synthetic cellular communication-based microfluidic platform is effective for identifying genes that enhance chemical secretion.
This technology holds significant potential for discovering efflux pumps for various industrial chemicals beyond 3-HP.
The platform advances the field of industrial biotechnology by providing an efficient screening tool.