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Synthetic biology for microbial heavy metal biosensors

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Abstract

Using recombinant DNA technology, various whole-cell biosensors have been developed for detection of environmental pollutants, including heavy metal ions. Whole-cell biosensors have several advantages: easy and inexpensive cultivation, multiple assays, and no requirement of any special techniques for analysis. In the era of synthetic biology, cutting-edge DNA sequencing and gene synthesis technologies have accelerated the development of cell-based biosensors. Here, we summarize current technological advances in whole-cell heavy metal biosensors, including the synthetic biological components (bioparts), sensing and reporter modules, genetic circuits, and chassis cells. We discuss several opportunities for improvement of synthetic cell-based biosensors. First, new functional modules must be discovered in genome databases, and this knowledge must be used to upgrade specific bioparts through molecular engineering. Second, modules must be assembled into functional biosystems in chassis cells. Third, heterogeneity of individual cells in the microbial population must be eliminated. In the perspectives, the development of whole-cell biosensors is also discussed in the aspects of cultivation methods and synthetic cells.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Next-Generation BioGreen21 Program (SSAC, PJ01111802), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea. This study was also supported by the KRIBB Research Initiative Program and the National Research Foundation of Korea (2015R1A2A2A01005402) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea.

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  1. Department of Systems Biotechnology, and Institute of Microbiomics, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, 17546, Republic of Korea

    Hyun Ju Kim & Sang Jun Lee

  2. Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea

    Haeyoung Jeong

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Published in the topical collection Microbial Biosensors for Analytical Applications with guest editor Gérald Thouand.

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Kim, H.J., Jeong, H. & Lee, S.J. Synthetic biology for microbial heavy metal biosensors. Anal Bioanal Chem 410, 1191–1203 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0751-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-017-0751-6

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