Rewiring holobiont systems with synthetic biology

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Synthetic Biology
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Holobionts consist of a host organism and its associated diverse microbial communities (microbiota).
• Host-microbiota interactions are vital for host physiology, including nutrient absorption, immune system development, and adaptation to environmental changes.
• Current methods face challenges in fully elucidating the complex dynamics within holobionts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of synthetic biology tools for studying and manipulating holobiont interactions.
• To highlight advancements in engineering microbial components for better understanding host-microbiota relationships.
• To propose a new research field, de novo holobiont design, at the convergence of holobiont research and synthetic biology.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing bacterial biosensor development for monitoring microbial activities.
• Engineering interkingdom communication pathways between host and microbiota.
• Employing surface display technologies for functional analysis of microbial interactions.
• Leveraging clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems for genetic manipulation.
• Developing methods for engineering non-model microbiota members.

Main Results:

• Synthetic biology tools provide novel strategies for dissecting complex holobiont dynamics.
• Engineered microbial components and communication systems allow for precise manipulation of host-microbiota interactions.
• Progress has been made in engineering diverse microbial species within the holobiont context.
• The integration of synthetic biology facilitates the creation of 'de novo holobionts'.

Conclusions:

• Synthetic biology significantly enhances our ability to understand and engineer holobiont systems.
• The proposed field of de novo holobiont design holds promise for future research and biotechnological applications.
• This interdisciplinary approach opens new avenues for exploring host-microbe symbioses and their functional implications.