Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Camila Guindani, Lucas Caire da Silva, Shoupeng Cao, Tsvetomir Ivanov, Katharina Landfester
Summary: Bottom-up synthetic biology is the scientific approach of building systems that imitate the structure and function of living cells from the ground up. Recent developments have allowed scientists to engineer synthetic cells and organelles that mimic the essential functions and behaviors of natural cells.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Roberto Di Blasi, Annalise Zouein, Tom Ellis, Francesca Ceroni
Summary: Construction of DNA-encoded programs is crucial in synthetic biology, with Golden Gate toolkits now dominating due to their modular design. Future advances include accessory packs for cloning toolkits to facilitate editing, orthogonality, advanced regulation, and integration into synthetic chromosome construction.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huihui Shi, Shuangshuang Wu, Muqing Si, Shuxin Wei, Guoqing Lin, Hao Liu, Weiping Xie, Wei Lu, Tao Chen
Summary: Inspired by cephalopods, a new photomechanically modulated fluorescent system has been developed, enabling dynamic and reversible display of fluorescent patterns through control of NIR light signals. This bioinspired strategy shows promise for on-demand fluorescent display platforms with single-input multiple-output features.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Tawni Bull, Arjun Khakhar
Summary: Synthetic control systems have advanced the study and engineering of unicellular organisms, but applying these tools to multicellular organisms like plants has been challenging. Predictable engineering of plants can help alleviate global problems.
PLANT CELL REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kangsan Kim, Minjeong Kang, Byung-Kwan Cho
Summary: In recent years, there has been increasing interest in gut commensal engineering for therapeutic applications. Recent advancements in synthetic biology and systems biology have enabled effective utilization of gut commensals for therapy and diagnosis, including the rational design of synthetic microbial consortia and the construction of synthetic cells that can detect specific signals in the intestine and deliver therapeutic drugs in real-time.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessandro Alcinesio, Idil Cazimoglu, Gabriella Raye Kimmerly, Vanessa Restrepo Schild, Ravinash Krishna Kumar, Hagan Bayley
Summary: The authors applied modular design to construct modular synthetic tissues, assembling different functional 3D-printed building blocks for storing and releasing reagents, performing logic operations, responding to magnetic fields, and encapsulating living cells. They successfully built synthetic tissues capable of transmitting electrical signals and assembled hybrid tissues composed of both synthetic modules and modules containing living cells. By incorporating mutant protein nanopores within the building blocks, they created modular synthetic tissues with electrical outputs modulated by chemical inputs.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anze Verbic, Arne Praznik, Roman Jerala
Summary: Synthetic biology aims to engineer natural and synthetic biological parts into new combinations and systems for novel therapies, diagnostics, and bioproduction systems. Researchers have demonstrated a wide array of signal sensing, processing, and propagation modules to program new function for cell rewiring. The toolbox for synthetic network design is continuously advancing and has ample room to grow.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yun-Nam Choi, Namjin Cho, Kanghun Lee, Da-ae Gwon, Jeong Wook Lee, Joongoo Lee
Summary: Motivated by the complex mechanisms in cells, researchers have utilized biological systems to manufacture novel materials. Cell-free systems (CFSs) using transcriptional and translational machineries have become excellent tools, allowing the production of innovative materials beyond the capability of natural biological systems. Recent studies on CFS have expanded the scope of biobased materials and discussed approaches for producing high-value materials, prototyping genetic parts and modules, and biofunctionalization. By extending chemical and enzymatic reactions, CFSs provide new opportunities at the interface of materials science and synthetic biology.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jiwei Chen, Yifan Huang, Yuexuan Shu, Xiaoyue Hu, Di Wu, Hangjin Jiang, Kui Wang, Weihua Liu, Weiqi Fu
Summary: This review discusses the potential applications of microalgae, with a focus on diatoms, as a sustainable source for developing bioactive compounds, functional foods, feeds, and biofuels. The review highlights the advantages of diatoms in developing photosynthetic cell factories and the obstacles limiting their commercialization. The review also explores the use of systems and synthetic biology to improve the efficiency of diatom cell factories, including genome engineering technologies such as CRISPR gene-editing. The review concludes by providing critical insights into the future direction of algal production and identifying bottlenecks in algal engineering development.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiwen Wang, Zhehui Hu, Zhixuan Li, Tiangang Liu, Guangkai Bian
Summary: Engineered living materials (ELMs) represent a significant paradigm shift in material design, possessing unique living attributes and unprecedented potential in various fields. This review provides an overview of the latest research progress and design strategies for ELMs derived from bacteria, fungi, and plants, and offers valuable references for future ELM design and application. The investigation into synergistic application possibilities among different species of ELMs provides beneficial information for researchers and practitioners in this field.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mohammadreza Taale, Malin Schmidt, Fereydoon Taheri, Michael Timmermann, Christine Selhuber-Unkel
Summary: Strain-stiffening is an inherent feature of many biological systems, and synthetic materials in contact with them should have the same property. However, conventional strain-stiffening materials have limitations in terms of strain-rate dependence and stiffness range. In contrast, a minimalistic structure mimicking the strain-stiffening of living cells has been developed and demonstrated to be tunable in terms of strain, stiffness, and degree of stiffening. This structure shows promise for the development of devices simulating the mechanical properties of human soft tissues.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Philip Ball
Summary: A pair of studies highlight ethical and legal concerns surrounding the status of lab-grown human embryo models.
Review
Developmental Biology
David Oriola, Francesca M. Spagnoli
Summary: The second EMBO-EMBL Symposium on Synthetic Morphogenesis was held virtually in March 2021, drawing participants from around the world to discuss the topic. Leading scientists from various disciplines covered a wide range of topics, from cell and tissue organization to synthetic approaches for exploring evolutionary and developmental biology principles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matthew J. Goodwin, Xinzi Zhang, Tayli B. Shekleton, Delaney A. Kirr, Henry C. Hannon, Elizabeth J. Harbron
Summary: Conjugated polymer nanoparticles greatly enhance the photorelease reaction of a BODIPY protecting group, leading to a more than 60-fold increase in efficiency compared to direct excitation.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture
Alain R. Ndjiongue, Telex M. N. Ngatched, Octavia A. Dobre, Harald Haas
Summary: The steering dynamics of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) have positioned them as a forefront technology to address skip-zones in wireless communication systems. By utilizing a doped LC layer in a RIS module based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), the article successfully mitigates the double-fading problem in near-terrestrial freespace optical (nT-FSO) communication systems. Results demonstrate that the proposed LCoS design with minimal RIS depth at a specific light incidence angle effectively reduces signal attenuation and improves system performance.
IEEE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
H. Ceren Ates, Hasti Mohsenin, Christin Wenzel, Regina T. Glatz, Hanna J. Wagner, Richard Bruch, Nico Hoefflin, Sashko Spassov, Lea Streicher, Sara Lozano-Zahonero, Bernd Flamm, Rainer Trittler, Martin J. Hug, Maja Koehn, Johannes Schmidt, Stefan Schumann, Gerald A. Urban, Wilfried Weber, Can Dincer
Summary: Personalized antibiotherapy can maximize efficacy, minimize side effects, and prevent drug resistance. To better integrate therapeutic drug monitoring into clinical practice, a versatile biosensor with an antibody-free assay for on-site testing is introduced. This system offers rapid, low-cost, sample-independent, and multiplexed analysis, which can potentially shift the paradigm of one-size-fits-all strategy.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Oliver S. Thomas, Balder Rebmann, Matthias Tonn, Ivo C. Schirmeister, Sarah Wehrle, Jan Becker, Gabriel J. Zea Jimenez, Sebastian Hook, Sarah Jager, Melissa Klenzendorf, Mateo Laskowski, Alexander Kaier, Gerhard Putz, Matias D. Zurbriggen, Wilfried Weber, Maximilian Hoerner, Hanna J. Wagner
Summary: This study demonstrates a versatile approach of utilizing antibody-ligand interactions to design small molecule-responsive nanocarrier and nanocomposite systems, providing precise control over drug delivery. The concept is validated by utilizing different antibody-ligand interactions, nanoparticles, and release systems.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Regina T. Glatz, H. Ceren Ates, Hasti Mohsenin, Wilfried Weber, Can Dincer
Summary: Clinical assessment often requires the measurement of multiple analytes or samples to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and therapy. In this study, a microfluidic multiplexed electrochemical biosensor technology (BiosensorX) was developed, allowing simultaneous detection of multiple analytes or samples within a single microfluidic channel. The vertical design of the BiosensorX chip was chosen for its ease of use and superior fluidic behavior. The feasibility of the BiosensorX for on-site testing was demonstrated with the measurement of meropenem antibiotics using an antibody-free beta-lactam assay. This multiplexed biosensor platform can be further extended for the detection of other anti-infective agents and biomarkers, as well as different sample types.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Avik Samanta, Maximilian Hoerner, Wei Liu, Wilfried Weber, Andreas Walther
Summary: The study focuses on all-DNA protocells with a liquid DNA interior and a hydrogel-like shell, containing a catalytically active DNAzyme. These protocells convert DNA signals into functional metabolites, leading to downstream adaptation processes including intra-protocellular phenotype-like changes, prototissue formation via multivalent interactions, and chemical messenger communication between sender and receiver cell populations. Integration of DNA-nanoscience tools is crucial for mimicking life-like behavior in artificial systems for future interactive materials. Signal processing for downstream functional and morphological adaptations plays a key role in understanding and re-enacting features of living systems.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Valeria Melendez, Rubi M-H Velasco Cardenas, Simon Lagies, Juliane Strietz, Lina Siukstaite, Oliver S. Thomas, Jana Tomisch, Wilfried Weber, Bernd Kammerer, Winfried Romer, Susana Minguet
Summary: The link between cancer and aberrant glycosylation has been identified. Lectins offer a unique opportunity to target tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs). In this study, lectin-CARs that recognize Gb3 have been developed and shown to exhibit target-specific cytotoxicity against Burkitt's lymphoma and solid tumours.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra A. M. Fischer, Markus M. Kramer, Gerald Radziwill, Wilfried Weber
Summary: Molecular optogenetics is a dynamic research field characterized by the development of new allosteric switches and the forward integration of optogenetics research towards application in the past two years. Two areas of research, controlling liquid-liquid phase separation and utilizing optogenetic tools in the extracellular space, have gained significant momentum.
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Midori Johnston, H. Ceren Ates, Regina T. Glatz, Hasti Mohsenin, Rosanne Schmachtenberg, Nathalie Goeppert, Daniela Huzly, Gerald A. Urban, Wilfried Weber, Can Dincer
Summary: This study proposes an electrochemical microfluidic multiplexed polymer-based biosensor combined with CRISPR/Cas-powered assays for low-cost and accessible point-of-care nucleic acid testing. The method allows simultaneous screening and identification of SARS-CoV-2 infections while bypassing reverse transcription and target amplification steps. Moreover, the study demonstrates the feasibility of combining different types of synthetic biology-driven assays on the same device, providing a promising on-site tool for rapid diagnosis and disease monitoring.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chao Su, Marta Rodriguez-Franco, Beatrice Lace, Nils Nebel, Casandra Hernandez-Reyes, Pengbo Liang, Eija Schulze, Evgeny V. Mymrikov, Nikolas M. Gross, Julian Knerr, Hong Wang, Lina Siukstaite, Jean Keller, Cyril Libourel, Alexandra A. M. Fischer, Katharina E. Gabor, Eric Mark, Claudia Popp, Carola Hunte, Wilfried Weber, Petra Wendler, Thomas Stanislas, Pierre-Marc Delaux, Oliver Einsle, Robert Grosse, Winfried Roemer, Thomas Ott
Summary: The organization of membranes in plants is mainly controlled by the cell wall and cytoskeleton, with some proteins, such as remorins, playing a role in protein and lipid organization. Symbiosis-specific SYMREM1 gene mutations disrupt membrane organization in root nodules. AlphaFold modeling and biochemical analyses reveal that SYMREM1 forms oligomers and may contribute to higher-order membrane scaffolding.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wilfried Weber, Martin Fussenegger
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pamela E. Molinari, Adriana R. Krapp, Andrea Weiner, Hannes M. Beyer, Arun Kumar Kondadi, Tim Blomeier, Melina Lopez, Pilar Bustos-Sanmamed, Evelyn Tevere, Wilfried Weber, Andreas S. Reichert, Nora B. Calcaterra, Mathias Beller, Nestor Carrillo, Matias D. Zurbriggen
Summary: NADP(H) is a central metabolic hub that provides reducing equivalents to various pathways in living organisms. The genetically-encoded biosensor NERNST is able to interact with NADP(H) and estimate its redox state, allowing for the monitoring of NADP(H) dynamics in different organisms and potential applications in biochemical, biotechnological, and biomedical research.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Katrin Raute, Juliane Strietz, Maria Alejandra Parigiani, Geoffroy Andrieux, Oliver S. Thomas, Klaus M. Kistner, Marina Zintchenko, Peter Aichele, Maike Hofmann, Houjiang Zhou, Wilfried Weber, Melanie Boerries, Mahima Swamy, Jochen Maurer, Susana Minguet
Summary: There is currently no targeted therapy for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is enriched in breast cancer stem cells (BCSC), which play a key role in metastasis, chemoresistance, relapse, and mortality. y8 T cells hold great potential in immuno-therapy against cancer and might provide an approach to therapeutically target TNBC.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maximilian Hoerner, Jan Becker, Rebecca Bohnert, Miguel Banos, Carolina Jerez-Longres, Vanessa Muehlhaeuser, Daniel Haerrer, Tin Wang Wong, Matthias Meier, Wilfried Weber
Summary: Hydrogels with adjustable mechanical properties have been developed to manipulate cell fate and function by converting optical signals into reversible changes in hydrogel mechanics. However, the limited dynamic range of addressable stiffness hampers their broader implementation. In this study, a photoreceptor-based hydrogel with reversibly adjustable stiffness is developed, enabling a wide range of stiffness from approximately 800 Pa to the sol state. The hydrogel's light-responsive mechanical properties are characterized and it is applied for the spatiotemporally controlled deposition of mammalian cells, which holds promise in overcoming spatial restrictions.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marissa Russ, Anna K. Ehret, Maximilian Hoerner, Daniel Peschkov, Rebecca Bohnert, Vincent Idstein, Susana Minguet, Wilfried Weber, Bjoern F. Lillemeier, O. Sascha Yousefi, Wolfgang W. Schamel
Summary: The kinetics of ligand-receptor interaction can be experimentally and reversibly changed using optogenetics. Researchers have developed a method to control the interaction between a modified receptor and an engineered ligand using light. By expressing the SpyCatcher fused to a transmembrane domain, they successfully displayed PhyB as a membrane-bound protein and coupled it with ligands expressed on other cells. These cells, called opto-antigen presenting cells (opto-APCs), allow two-dimensional ligand-receptor interactions to be controlled by light stimulation.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Carolina Jerez-Longres, Marieta Gomez-Matos, Jan Becker, Maximilian Hoerner, Franz-Georg Wieland, Jens Timmer, Wilfried Weber
Summary: Encapsulated cell-based therapies involve genetically-modified cells embedded in a material to produce therapeutic agents at specific locations in the body. While promising, safety concerns such as cell escape and uncontrolled production of therapeutic agents still exist. This study develops a material-genetic interface as a safety switch for engineered mammalian cells, improving the safety and translation of cell therapies.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Pierre V. M. Trehin, Geisler Munoz-Guamuro, Wilfried Weber
MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS
(2023)