Programmable synthetic biology tools for developing microbial cell factories

• Published in: Current opinion in biotechnology 2023-02, Vol.79, p.102874-102874, Article 102874
• Main Authors: Han, Yong Hee, Kim, Giho, Seo, Sang Woo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Metabolic Engineering; RNA; Synthetic Biology
• ISSN: 0958-1669; 1879-0429
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102874

Microbial conversion to generate value-added chemicals from diverse biomass is one of the keystones of energy biotechnology. Programmable synthetic biology tools offer versatile, standardized options for developing microbial cell factories. These tools thus can be reprogrammed in a user-defined manner for flexible wiring of stimuli and response, highly efficient genome engineering, and extensive perturbation of metabolic flux and genetic circuits. They also can be modularly assembled to construct elaborate and unprecedented biological systems with unique features. This review highlights recent advances in programmable synthetic biology tools based on biosensors, CRISPR–Cas, and RNA devices for developing microbial cell factories that have the potential to be utilized for energy biotechnology. [Display omitted] •Outperforming microbial cell factories requires elaborate and programmable devices.•Biosensors are engineered for dynamic control with various input signals.•CRISPR–Cas system enables precise genome engineering and multiple gene regulation.•RNA devices modulate genetic circuits and RNA-level dynamics even in a cis-manner.