Engineering Synthetic Beneficial Biofilms: A Comprehensive Framework for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications
Description
Biofilms, microbial communities adhering to surfaces, account for 70% of human microbial diseases. While their harmful effects are well-studied, growing interest in beneficial biofilms spans applications from biological control to industrial corrosion prevention. However, their complexity challenges the development of a systematic engineering framework to harness their potential. Synthetic Beneficial Biofilms (SBBs) offer a novel approach for various applications, particularly in healthcare. These engineered microbial communities can mimic harmful biofilms for treatment studies or be synthesized for cell therapeutics and drug delivery, aiding in diagnosing and treating gut microbiome diseases. We present an innovative interdisciplinary framework combining mechanical and bioengineering principles to control programmable biofilm production. This approach identifies crucial steps from selecting interaction surfaces to designing bacterial communities and ensuring their functionality. It outlines key phases of biofilm formation preformation, formation, and post- formation each with specific target genes and modulation criteria. Emerging technologies are integral to this framework, including nextgeneration transcriptomics, 3D bioprinting, light- controlled genetic devices, and non-invasive real-time monitoring. This comprehensive framework can unlock the full potential of SBBs, from diagnostic to therapeutic approaches.