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Published on: August 12, 2012
20.7K
PEARL: Protein Eluting Alginate with Recombinant Lactobacilli
Varun Sai Tadimarri1,2, Marc Blanch-Asensio1,2, Ketaki Deshpande1,2
1INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarland University, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|January 28, 2025
Summary
Engineered living materials (ELMs) using probiotic lactobacilli in alginate beads enable sustained protein release for 14 days. This PEARL system offers bacterial containment and stable therapeutic delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Engineered living materials (ELMs) using bacteria in hydrogels show promise for therapeutic applications.
- Lactic acid bacteria, particularly lactobacilli, are favored for probiotics due to inherent health benefits.
- Limited genetic tools in lactobacilli hinder their use in advanced ELMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the genetic programmability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 for protein secretion.
- To develop a cost-effective and biocompatible core-shell alginate bead for encapsulating engineered lactobacilli.
- To create a novel ELM for controlled and sustained release of recombinant proteins.
Main Methods:
- Genetic engineering of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 for enhanced protein secretion.
- Encapsulation of engineered bacteria within core-shell alginate beads.
- Assessment of protein release profiles and bacterial containment over 14 days.
Main Results:
- Successful expansion of genetic programmability in L. plantarum WCFS1 for protein secretion.
- Development of PEARL (Protein Eluting Alginate with Recombinant Lactobacilli), a novel ELM.
- Demonstrated controlled and sustained release of recombinant proteins for up to 14 days.
- Observed benefits of encapsulation, including bacterial containment and stabilized release profiles.
Conclusions:
- Recombinant lactobacilli encapsulated in alginate beads offer a viable strategy for therapeutic protein delivery.
- The PEARL system provides mutual benefits, enhancing both bacterial function and protein release characteristics.
- This approach overcomes limitations in lactobacilli genetic tools for developing advanced ELMs.
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