Engineering Bacterial Cellulose by Synthetic Biology

Abstract

Synthetic biology is an advanced form of genetic manipulation that applies the principles of modularity and engineering design to reprogram cells by changing their DNA. Over the last decade, synthetic biology has begun to be applied to bacteria that naturally produce biomaterials, in order to boost material production, change material properties and to add new functionalities to the resulting material. Recent work has used synthetic biology to engineer several Komagataeibacter strains; bacteria that naturally secrete large amounts of the versatile and promising material bacterial cellulose (BC). In this review, we summarize how genetic engineering, metabolic engineering and now synthetic biology have been used in Komagataeibacter strains to alter BC, improve its production and begin to add new functionalities into this easy-to-grow material. As well as describing the milestone advances, we also look forward to what will come next from engineering bacterial cellulose by synthetic biology.

Synthetic biology as driver for the biologization of materials sciences

“…One example is the production of bacterial cellulose in Komagataeibacter strains, which are highly acid-resistant and naturally produce bacterial cellulose in large quantities. In addition to the introduction or deletion of genes to enhance the production of bacterial cellulose, several genes have been introduced into bacterial cellulose-producing species to provide new metabolic pathways [ 52 , 53 ]. For instance, the introduction of an operon of three genes from the yeast Candida albicans in Komagataeibacter xylinus has enabled the production of a cellulose-chitin co-polymer, which can be degraded by animal lysozymes, unlike cellulose.…”

“…For instance, the introduction of an operon of three genes from the yeast Candida albicans in Komagataeibacter xylinus has enabled the production of a cellulose-chitin co-polymer, which can be degraded by animal lysozymes, unlike cellulose. Its ability to be degraded within the body makes it a useful material for the production of stents and vein prostheses, which would not require surgical removal [ 53 ]. The Ellis group pioneered a complementary approach to synthesize and engineer bacterial cellulose [ 54 ].…”

“…Based on the sequencing of the bacterium, they developed genetic tools to produce heterologous proteins and to control the formation of bacterial cellulose. These and other applications of bacterial cellulose are covered in a recent review by the same group [ 53 ].…”

Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Palm CNF-ZnO Nanocomposites with Antibacterial and Reinforcing Properties

“…Cellulose has a firm grip as an inexhaustible organic material that could feed the growing demand for green reinforcement nanofillers in various nanocomposite materials. Cellulose is comprised of linear chains of β-D glucopyranosyl units linked by β- (1,4) glycosidic bonds [1]. Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is a popular biopolymer that is used extensively in various industries, such as in textiles, papers, and pharmaceuticals, due to their exceptional biocompatibility and biodegradability [2,3].…”

“…Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is a popular biopolymer that is used extensively in various industries, such as in textiles, papers, and pharmaceuticals, due to their exceptional biocompatibility and biodegradability [2,3]. CNFs can be obtained from a wide variety of natural sources, including algae, bacteria, and plants [4,5].…”