Engineering bacterial warriors: harnessing microbes to modulate animal physiology

A central goal of synthetic biology is the reprogramming of living systems for predetermined biological functions. While many engineering efforts have been made in living systems, these innovations have been mainly employed with microorganisms or cell lines. The engineering of multicellular organisms including animals remains challenging owing to the complexity of these systems. In this context, microbes, with their intricate impact on animals, have opened new opportunities. Through the utilization of the symbiotic relationships between microbes and animals, researchers have effectively manipulated animals in various ways using engineered microbes. This focused approach has demonstrated its significance in scientific exploration and engineering with model animals, coral preservation and restoration, and advancements in human health.