Phenazine-Based Synthetic Biology to Signal Between Cells and Electrodes

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Synthetic Biology
• Bioelectronics

Background:

• Bioelectronic systems enable device-living system communication.
• Redox signaling is advantageous due to biological ubiquity and electrochemical compatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a modular phenazine-based system for bidirectional redox communication between electronic devices and engineered bacteria.
• To establish phenazines as versatile bridges for electronic and biological information processing.

Main Methods:

• Developed a modular system with four components: electronic signal encoding (H2O2 activation), biological signal transmission (PhzF-controlled phenazine biosynthesis), dual-domain signal reception (SoxRS circuits and electrochemical detection), and controllable noise (phenazine degradation).
• Utilized commercially available electrodes and integrated into synthetic biology frameworks.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated proportional control over phenazine production.
• Showcased linear relationships between electronic inputs and biological/electrochemical outputs.
• Established bidirectional redox communication between electronic devices and engineered bacterial populations.

Conclusions:

• Phenazine-based systems offer accessible tools for practical bioelectronic applications.
• The modular design facilitates integration and signal modulation across biological and electronic domains.
• Potential applications include environmental monitoring, biomanufacturing, and biomedical devices.