Electronic modulation of biochemical signal generation

Abstract

Microelectronic devices that contain biological components are typically used to interrogate biology rather than control biological function. Patterned assemblies of proteins and cells have, however, been used for in vitro metabolic engineering, where coordinated biochemical pathways allow cell metabolism to be characterized and potentially controlled on a chip. Such devices form part of technologies that attempt to recreate animal and human physiological functions on a chip and could be used to revolutionize drug development. These ambitious goals will, however, require new biofabrication methodologies that help connect microelectronics and biological systems and yield new approaches to device assembly and communication. Here, we report the electrically mediated assembly, interrogation and control of a multi-domain fusion protein that produces a bacterial signalling molecule. The biological system can be electrically tuned using a natural redox molecule, and its biochemical response is shown to provide the signalling cues to drive bacterial population behaviour. We show that the biochemical output of the system correlates with the electrical input charge, which suggests that electrical inputs could be used to control complex on-chip biological processes.

Electronic control of gene expression and cell behaviour in Escherichia coli through redox signalling

“…Cells have been engineered for enhanced electron flow2425 and to allow for electronic detection of engineered cell activity2627. Electronic signals translated through redox molecules also show controlled glucose consumption28 and regulation of enzymatic activity29. The use of the above-mentioned and other bioelectrochemical methods will no doubt continue to have impactful applications in fields such as bioenergy, biotechnology, biosensing and biocomputing30.…”

Evidence of Porphyrin‐Like Structures in Natural Melanin Pigments Using Electrochemical Fingerprinting

“…Facile processing of melanin pigments could expand the use of redox active biologically derived materials for many applications including protective coatings, functional membranes, bioelectronics interfaces, or energy‐storage materials . For example, aqueous electrolytes coupled with biologically derived cathode materials with large positive potentials for sodium ion insertion may be used to power ingestible electronics, medical implants, or compostable devices for use in environmentally sensitive environments and beyond …”

Fusing Sensor Paradigms to Acquire Chemical Information: An Integrative Role for Smart Biopolymeric Hydrogels

“…Redox mediators are integral to the interactive probing illustrated in Figure as they serve to convert the imposed electrical inputs into redox signals that can be transmitted to undergo interactions with the local environment. Electrochemists routinely use mediators to exchange electrons with electrodes, and mediators are sometimes used to exchange electrons with redox‐active components in a local environment to perform functions for bioelectronics (enzyme‐based biosensing and microbial fuel cells), bioelectrosynthesis, environmental remediation, sample characterization, and molecular actuation . We extend the use of redox mediators to engage in redox‐cycling with the redox capacitor for the purpose of enhancing access to chemical information .…”