Electrogenetics: Controlling Biological Functions through Electrically Activated Transcription
Abstract
The U.S. Air Forces goal of creating new bioelectric devices for improving human capabilities, human-machine interfaces, and developing advanced hybrid biotic-abiotic systems depends on the ability to control the interface between biology and electronics. Many innovative technologies that add functionality to the biotic-abiotic interface have been created including in vivo metabolite sensing and electrical stimulation, the conversion of chemical binding and reaction events to electrical outputs, and the monitoring and activation of cell electrophysiology, among others. These and other bioelectronic technologies are, in part, limited by a lack of biocompatible chemical redox mediators. A wide array of such mediators (with varying redox properties) that can be produced using low-cost processes would enable new bioelectronic devices and power the scale-up of current technologies in this space. This project seeks to address this critical technology gap by understanding and engineering the biosynthesis of phenazine-based redox mediators in Pseudomonads. This project developed a novel approach to this challenge a population-genomics approach to metabolic engineering of phenazine biosynthesis in Pseudomonas chlororaphis, a non-pathogen strain of Pseudomonas with many isolates that produce various phenazine derivatives. By curating, phenotyping, and genotyping a library of P. chlororaphis isolates it was possible to (1) identify multiple strains that naturally produce large quantities of phenazines, and (2) identify genetic manipulations that lead to increased production. This new population-genomics approach to metabolic engineering was not only able to help advance the bioproduction of chemical redox mediators but also provides a new route for the metabolic engineering of other metabolites in Pseudomonads or other bacterial species.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 09, 2024
- Accession Number
- AD1229885
Entities
People
- Ian R Wheeldon
Organizations
- University of California Regents