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Biosensors
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Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications
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Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 19553

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Cheemeng Tan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departments of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Interests: synthetic biology; therapeutics; vesicles; gene and protein networks; artificial cells
Dr. Baojun Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The Synthetic Biological Circuit Engineering Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
Interests: biological circuit design; synthetic biology enabling tools

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Synthetic biology has ushered in engineering approaches to design cells and cell-free systems for biosensing applications. The applications include portable diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and disease treatment. To establish these applications, synthetic biological systems are subject to design, test, and build cycles to modify their gene and protein circuits for specific application objectives. In the design cycle, various tools, including microfluidics, single-cell genomics, and high-throughput cloning, are used to create synthetic biological systems.

Scope of the Special Issue:

  • Modern synthetic biology technologies to design, test, and build novel biosensors.
  • Methods to overcome challenges in translating synthetic cells for biosensing in health and environmental applications.
  • Development of novel parts to enable biosensing in synthetic cells.
  • Development of novel circuits to achieve biosensing in synthetic cells.
  • Cell-free protein-synthesis systems for biosensing applications.
  • Artificial cells for biosensing applications.
  • Synthetic bacteria and mammalian cells for biosensing applications.
  • Application of synthetic cells for biosensing in medical treatment and diagnosis.
  • Application of synthetic cells for biosensing in environmental applications.

This Special Issue aims to cover the recent discovery, engineering, and translation of biosensors using synthetic biology approaches for biomedical and environmental applications.

Dr. Cheemeng Tan
Dr. Baojun Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biosensors is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • synthetic biology
  • health
  • environment
  • genetic circuits
  • biosensors
  • cell-free
  • synthetic cells
  • artificial cells

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 170 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications”
by Baojun Wang and Cheemeng Tan
Biosensors 2023, 13(10), 937; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bios13100937 - 19 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1323
Abstract
Biosensors are analytical devices that utilize biological sensing elements, such as enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids, or cells, to detect a given analyte [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

15 pages, 3093 KiB  
Article
Template Free Anisotropically Grown Gold Nanocluster Based Electrochemical Immunosensor for Ultralow Detection of Cardiac Troponin I
by Sumaya Nisar, Chansi, Ashish Mathur, Tinku Basu, Kshitij RB Singh and Jay Singh
Biosensors 2022, 12(12), 1144; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bios12121144 - 07 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1863
Abstract
Anisotropic gold nanostructures have fascinated with their exceptional electronic properties, henceforth exploited for the fabrication of electrochemical sensors. However, their synthesis approaches are tedious and often require a growth template. Modern lifestyle has caused an upsurge in the risk of heart attack and [...] Read more.
Anisotropic gold nanostructures have fascinated with their exceptional electronic properties, henceforth exploited for the fabrication of electrochemical sensors. However, their synthesis approaches are tedious and often require a growth template. Modern lifestyle has caused an upsurge in the risk of heart attack and requires urgent medical attention. Cardiac troponin I can serve as a biomarker in identification of suspected myocardial infection (heart attack). Hence the present work demonstrates the fabrication of a sensing platform developed by assimilating anisotropic gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with anti cTnI antibody (acTnI) for the detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). The uniqueness and ease of synthesis by a template-free approach provides an extra edge for the fabrication of AuNC coated electrodes. The template-free growth of anisotropic AuNCs onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrates offers high sensitivity (2.2 × 10−4 A ng−1 mL cm−2) to the developed sensor. The immunosensor was validated by spiking different concentrations of cTnI in artificial serum with negligible interference under optimized conditions. The sensor shows a wide range of detection from 0.06–100 ng/mL with an ultralow detection limit. Thus, it suggests that the template-free immunosensor can potentially be used to screen the traces of cTnI present in blood serum samples, and the AuNCs based platform holds great promise as a transduction matrix, hence it can be exploited for broader sensing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications)
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24 pages, 6106 KiB  
Article
In Situ Growth Intercalation Structure MXene@Anatase/Rutile TiO2 Ternary Heterojunction with Excellent Phosphoprotein Detection in Sweat
by Yuting Qiao, Xianrong Liu, Zhi Jia, Peng Zhang, Li Gao, Bingxin Liu, Lijuan Qiao and Lei Zhang
Biosensors 2022, 12(10), 865; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bios12100865 - 12 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1853
Abstract
Abnormal protein phosphorylation may relate to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s. Therefore, the real-time detection of phosphoproteins in sweat was of great significance for the early knowledge, detection, and treatment of neurological diseases. In this work, anatase/rutile TiO2 was in [...] Read more.
Abnormal protein phosphorylation may relate to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s. Therefore, the real-time detection of phosphoproteins in sweat was of great significance for the early knowledge, detection, and treatment of neurological diseases. In this work, anatase/rutile TiO2 was in situ grown on the MXene surface to constructing the intercalation structure MXene@anatase/rutile TiO2 ternary heterostructure as a sensing platform for detecting phosphoprotein in sweat. Here, the intercalation structure of MXene acted as electron and diffusion channels for phosphoproteins. The in situ grown anatase/rutile TiO2 with n-n-type heterostructure provided specific adsorption sites for the phosphoproteins. The determination of phosphoprotein covered concentrations in sweat, with linear range from 0.01 to 1 mg/mL, along with a low LOD of 1.52 μM. It is worth noting that, since the macromolecular phosphoprotein was adsorbed on the surface of the material, the electrochemical signal gradually decreased with the increase of phosphoprotein concentration. In addition, the active sites in the MXene@anatase/rutile TiO2 ternary heterojunction and synergistic effect of the heterojunction were verified by first-principle calculations to further realize the response to phosphoproteins. Additionally, the effective diffusion capacity and mobility of phosphoprotein molecules in the ternary heterojunction structure were studied by molecular dynamics simulation. Furthermore, the constructed sensing platform showed high selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and stability, and this newly developed sensor can detect for phosphoprotein in actual sweat samples. This satisfactory sensing strategy could be promoted to realize the noninvasive and continuous detection of sweat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications)
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10 pages, 1707 KiB  
Article
A Recombinase-Based Genetic Circuit for Heavy Metal Monitoring
by Doğuş Akboğa, Behide Saltepe, Eray Ulaş Bozkurt and Urartu Özgür Şafak Şeker
Biosensors 2022, 12(2), 122; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bios12020122 - 16 Feb 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3274
Abstract
Rapid progress in the genetic circuit design enabled whole-cell biosensors (WCBs) to become prominent in detecting an extensive range of analytes with promise in many fields, from medical diagnostics to environmental toxicity assessment. However, several drawbacks, such as high background signal or low [...] Read more.
Rapid progress in the genetic circuit design enabled whole-cell biosensors (WCBs) to become prominent in detecting an extensive range of analytes with promise in many fields, from medical diagnostics to environmental toxicity assessment. However, several drawbacks, such as high background signal or low precision, limit WCBs to transfer from proof-of-concept studies to real-world applications, particularly for heavy metal toxicity monitoring. For an alternative WCB module design, we utilized Bxb1 recombinase that provides tight control as a switch to increase dose-response behavior concerning leakiness. The modularity of Bxb1 recombinase recognition elements allowed us to combine an engineered semi-specific heat shock response (HSR) promoter, sensitive to stress conditions including toxic ions such as cadmium, with cadmium resistance regulatory elements; a cadmium-responsive transcription factor and its cognitive promoter. We optimized the conditions for the recombinase-based cadmium biosensor to obtain increased fold change and shorter response time. This system can be expanded for various heavy metals to make an all-in-one type of WCB, even using semi-specific parts of a sensing system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications)
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Review

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21 pages, 2433 KiB  
Review
Strategies for Improving Small-Molecule Biosensors in Bacteria
by Corwin A. Miller, Joanne M. L. Ho and Matthew R. Bennett
Biosensors 2022, 12(2), 64; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bios12020064 - 25 Jan 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5473
Abstract
In recent years, small-molecule biosensors have become increasingly important in synthetic biology and biochemistry, with numerous new applications continuing to be developed throughout the field. For many biosensors, however, their utility is hindered by poor functionality. Here, we review the known types of [...] Read more.
In recent years, small-molecule biosensors have become increasingly important in synthetic biology and biochemistry, with numerous new applications continuing to be developed throughout the field. For many biosensors, however, their utility is hindered by poor functionality. Here, we review the known types of mechanisms of biosensors within bacterial cells, and the types of approaches for optimizing different biosensor functional parameters. Discussed approaches for improving biosensor functionality include methods of directly engineering biosensor genes, considerations for choosing genetic reporters, approaches for tuning gene expression, and strategies for incorporating additional genetic modules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications)
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Other

14 pages, 1394 KiB  
Perspective
Advances, Challenges and Future Trends of Cell-Free Transcription-Translation Biosensors
by Ting Wang and Yuan Lu
Biosensors 2022, 12(5), 318; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bios12050318 - 10 May 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4195
Abstract
In recent years, the application of cell-free protein synthesis systems in biosensing has been developing rapidly. Cell-free synthetic biology, with its advantages of high biosafety, fast material transport, and high sensitivity, has overcome many defects of cell-based biosensors and provided an abiotic substitute [...] Read more.
In recent years, the application of cell-free protein synthesis systems in biosensing has been developing rapidly. Cell-free synthetic biology, with its advantages of high biosafety, fast material transport, and high sensitivity, has overcome many defects of cell-based biosensors and provided an abiotic substitute for biosensors. In addition, the application of freeze-drying technology has improved the stability of such systems, making it possible to realize point-of-care application of field detection and broadening the application prospects of cell-free biosensors. However, despite these advancements, challenges such as the risk of sample interference due to the lack of physical barriers, maintenance of activity during storage, and poor robustness still need to be addressed before the full potential of cell-free biosensors can be realized on a larger scale. In this review, current strategies and research results for improving the performance of cell-free biosensors are summarized, including a comprehensive discussion of the existing challenges, future trends, and potential investments needed for improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthetic Biology for Biosensing in Health and Environmental Applications)
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