Human Commensal Bacterium Successfully Modified
July 15, 2015| |
The lack of genetic parts makes it difficult for commensal organisms to be engineered for modulating a gut ecosystem. In a study conducted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers, they were able to genetically modify Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a bacterium found in human gut.
This was done by developing a set of genetic parts in the bacteria by using promoters, ribosome binding sites and inducible systems. Developing these genetic parts has enabled B. thetaiotaomicron to control gene expression over 10,000 folds and record DNA-encoded memory in the genome. CRISPR interference was also used to change the metabolic capacity and resistance of B. thetaiotaomicron to antimicrobial peptides. The bacterium was then evaluated in mouse, which resulted to successful colonization of the modified bacteria in the mouse gut.
The result can serve as a new basis for future microbiome engineering.
Read the study on Cell System Journal.
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