Experimental tools to reduce the burden of bacterial synthetic biology

Abstract

Cellular burden limits the applications of bacterial synthetic biology. Experimental approaches for burden minimisation have recently become available. Tools to identify construct design with low footprint on the host include capacity monitors that quantify cellular capacity, high-throughput approaches and cell-free systems for construct prototyping. Orthogonal ribosomes and feedback controllers are instead useful to seek control of resource allocation and lower burden. Other approaches include genome reduction to increase the available resource pool and synthetic addiction to couple cell fitness and product accumulation. However, controlling the cellular response to exogenous expression is still a challenge, and more tools are needed to widen the applications of synthetic biology. Further effort that combines novel evolutionary data with burden-aware tools can set the foundation to increase the stability and robustness of future genetic systems.