Synthetic Biology-Driven Microbial Therapeutics for Disease Treatment

Abstract

The human microbiome, consisting of microorganisms that coexist symbiotically with the body, impacts health from birth. Alterations in gut microbiota driven by factors such as diet and medication can contribute to diseases beyond the gut. Synthetic biology has paved the way for engineered microbial therapeutics, presenting promising treatments for a variety of conditions. Using genetically encoded biosensors and dynamic regulatory tools, engineered microbes can produce and deliver therapeutic agents, detect biomarkers, and manage diseases. This review organizes engineered microbial therapeutics by disease type, emphasizing innovative strategies and recent advancements. The scope of diseases includes gastrointestinal disorders, cancers, metabolic diseases, infections, and other ailments. Synthetic biology facilitates precise targeting and regulation, improving the efficacy and safety of these therapies. With promising results in animal models, engineered microbial therapeutics provide a novel alternative to traditional treatments, heralding a transformative era in diagnostics and treatment for numerous diseases.

Keywords: Engineered microbial therapeutics; GI disease; infection; metabolic disease; synthetic biology; tumor.

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of the utilization for engineered microbial therapeutics.

Engineered microbial therapeutics, developed through synthetic biology, are applied to various conditions including gastrointestinal disease, tumor, pathogen infection, metabolic disease, and others. These applications utilize strategies that include not only simple production and delivery of therapeutic substances but also sophisticated regulatory mechanisms using genetic circuits for precise diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment.