SYNBIOME OVERVIEW

An important challenge in the near future will be the optimization of bioreactors for the production of complex molecules. The aim of our research project is to combine different cell systems commonly used in biosynthesis through synthetic biology. To improve this system we want to use cells from different kingdoms because we believe that different cell types could cooperate and better produce complex molecules. The innovation and challenge will be to obtain a stable community of cells from different kingdoms and establish mutualism among them. This interdependence will be obtained through a metabolic and signaling pathways in which the survival and/or growth depends from the other cell types.
The project is based on a three-element system: two different bacterial strains and one eukaryotic cell type that communicate through quorum sensing (QS) signal molecules.
In order to achieve the goal in constructing this synthetic community, both the bacterial cells and the eukaryotic cell will be engineered with a genetic circuit under the regulation of the N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) QS signals.
More specifically, we will engineer both bacterial strains to produce the enzyme cellobiosidase, in order to convert extracellular cellobiose into glucose, while the eukaryotic cell will be engineered to produce a soluble form of beta-lactamase.

This set up will ensure interdependence among the three cell types; all cells will benefit from the free available glucose and the two bacteria will survive in an ampicillin-containing culture medium. The mutalism between the two different bacterial strains will occur thanks to a synthetic network based on the two different AHL QS signals, namely 3-oxo-C8-AHL and 3-oxo-C12-AHL.
The inter-kingdom mutualism will be guaranteed by an eukaryotic trans-activator sensible to the AHL QS mediator 3-oxo-C8-AHL.
Importantly, this genetic circuit will be designed in such a way so that it can be adapted to different bacterial species and eukaryotic cell types.

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