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Simple, Affordable, and Modular Patterning of Cells using DNA
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Addressable and adaptable intercellular communication via DNA messaging.

John P Marken1, Richard M Murray2

  • 1Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA. jmarken@caltech.edu.

Nature Communications
|April 24, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synthetic biology uses DNA messaging for engineered consortia communication. This new system allows adaptable, targeted information transfer between bacterial strains, enabling complex biological systems.

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Area of Science:

  • Synthetic Biology
  • Microbial Engineering
  • Genetic Engineering

Background:

  • Engineered consortia offer advanced functions but require complex communication between strains.
  • DNA messaging provides information-rich, channel-decoupled communication for synthetic biology.
  • The dynamic mutability of DNA messages remains an underexplored advantage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a framework for addressable and adaptable DNA messaging.
  • To implement this framework using plasmid conjugation in E. coli.
  • To enable sophisticated communication within engineered consortia.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized plasmid conjugation for DNA message transfer in E. coli.
  • Developed a system for biasing message transfer to specific receiver strains.
  • Implemented in situ updating of recipient lists to control information flow.

Main Results:

  • Achieved 100- to 1000-fold bias in message transfer to targeted strains.
  • Demonstrated dynamic, in situ updating of recipient lists.
  • Established a controllable flow of information within the bacterial population.

Conclusions:

  • The developed framework enables addressable and adaptable DNA messaging.
  • This system enhances communication capabilities in engineered consortia.
  • Lays groundwork for engineering greater complexity in biological systems using DNA messaging.