Perspective on the development of synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors

Synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors allow for the use of genetically edited or natural microbial communities in a biosensing system to capture and convert biosignals into digital outputs. The workflow of SynCom biosensor construction contains three basic modules, including selection of microbial target candidates, construction and validation of SynComs, and detection of biosignals. SynCom biosensors have the potential to revolutionize biosensing technology by improving sensitivity, specificity, cost effectiveness, and real-time monitoring capabilities. Synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors are a promising technology for detecting and responding to environmental cues and target molecules. SynCom biosensors use engineered microorganisms to create a more complex and diverse sensing system, enabling them to respond to stimuli with enhanced sensitivity and accuracy. Here, we give a definition of SynCom biosensors, outline their construction workflow, and discuss current biosensing technology. We also highlight the challenges and future for developing and optimizing SynCom biosensors and the potential applications in agriculture and food management, biotherapeutic development, home sensing, urban and environmental monitoring, and the One Health foundation. We believe SynCom biosensors could be used in a real-time and remote-controlled manner to sense the chaos of constantly dynamic environments. Synthetic microbial community (SynCom) biosensors are a promising technology for detecting and responding to environmental cues and target molecules. SynCom biosensors use engineered microorganisms to create a more complex and diverse sensing system, enabling them to respond to stimuli with enhanced sensitivity and accuracy. Here, we give a definition of SynCom biosensors, outline their construction workflow, and discuss current biosensing technology. We also highlight the challenges and future for developing and optimizing SynCom biosensors and the potential applications in agriculture and food management, biotherapeutic development, home sensing, urban and environmental monitoring, and the One Health foundation. We believe SynCom biosensors could be used in a real-time and remote-controlled manner to sense the chaos of constantly dynamic environments. a multidisciplinary field that integrates concepts and practices from artificial neural networks, evolutionary algorithms, genetic programming, mathematical biology, and information science. It visually represents biosignals from living organisms with high fidelity through symbolic production and the development of devices and interfaces. an artificial microbial consortium created using top-down and bottom-up approaches. This involves utilizing genetically edited and naturally isolated microbial species, integrating multidisciplinary technologies such as synthetic biology, ecological modeling, and artificial intelligence for comprehensive analysis and manipulation. a basic electronic component that performs basic logical operations such as AND, OR, NOT, and others. In biology, logic gates are applied to model gene regulatory networks, with genes acting as inputs and outputs, and their interactions modeled using Boolean logic, similar to digital circuits. a type of biosensing platform that integrates microfluidic technologies with biosensing mechanisms to detect and analyze specific target molecules or analytes in biological or environmental samples. For example, an ultrasensitive bacterial sensor was constructed for detecting arsenic and mercury, leading to significant improvements in detection limit and output [5.Wan X. et al.Cascaded amplifying circuits enable ultrasensitive cellular sensors for toxic metals.Nat. Chem. Biol. 2019; 15: 540-548Crossref PubMed Scopus (136) Google Scholar]. a type of biosensing platform that incorporates nanowire-based sensing elements into wearable devices for real-time monitoring of physiological parameters. For example, a bioelectronic ammonia sensor made by Geobacter sulfurreducens was constructed to detect ammonia concentrations [47.Smith A.F. et al.Bioelectronic protein nanowire sensors for ammonia detection.Nano Res. 2020; 13: 1479-1484Crossref Scopus (32) Google Scholar]. an integrated unifying approach to balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and the environment (https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/one-health). It promotes collaboration and cooperation among professionals in human, animal, and environmental health to address health issues that impact these interconnected systems. a type of biosensing platform that uses paper as a substrate for detecting biological or chemical targets. For example, a biosensing system based on freeze-dried paper could be used for rapid prototyping of complex gene circuits [58.Pardee K. et al.Paper-based synthetic gene networks.Cell. 2014; 159: 940-954Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (486) Google Scholar]. a type of biosensing platform that uses nanochannels made of solid-state materials, such as silicon or graphene, to detect biomolecules. For example, a digital immunoassay scheme was reported capable of quantifying a target protein in complex biofluids associated with the use of solid-state nanopores [59.He L. et al.Digital immunoassay for biomarker concentration quantification using solid-state nanopores.Nat. Commun. 2021; 12: 5348Crossref PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar].