Creating Living Tissues Through Synthetic Biology and 3D Printers

A custom-built programmable 3D printer can create materials with several of the properties of living tissues, Oxford University scientists have demonstrated: Droplet network c.500 microns across with electrically conductive pathway between electrodes mimicking nerve.
Credit: Oxford University/G Villar

Researchers have used a 3D printer to create a synthetic living tissue that can perform some of the functions of the cells inside the human body.

Synthetic biology is the science of designing biological components for a specific purpose. Cells and molecules are used to create parts, devices, and biological systems through DNA nanotechnology, bionanodevices, and genetic engineering. These biological components are used to perform a specific function or part of a bigger biological system.

Current applications of synthetic biology in the medical field have addressed specific needs such as diagnosing diseases, monitoring and identifying cancer cells and also for treatment of common ailments such as acne. A common application for synthetic biology is the creation of enzymes. Enzymes are natural molecules that create necessary and beneficial chemical reactions in the cells and tissues of the body.

Processes used by synthetic biology involve bioengineering through DNA nanotechnology and genetic manipulation. A new way to create biological structures uses 3D printers that can "print" or create three dimensional objects made up of biological material that would behave in a specific way at a specified time or situation.

Synthetic Biology: New Approach To Activating Genes

A new breakthrough in synthetic biology involves building a synthetic protein known as a transcription activator-like effectors or TALE (see image). TALEs are artificial enzymes that can be engineered to attach or bind to almost any gene sequences. This allows biologists and genetic engineers to turn on genes inside cells to levels that were not previously possible.

Synthetic biology is an emerging field of science (biology) where biological parts, devices and systems are designed and constructed for a specific purpose using cells and molecules. It also covers redesigning existing systems to address a specific situation. Synthetic biology covers technologies such as DNA nanotechnology and bionanodevices.

Synthetic biology involves creating cells that copy or mimic natural molecules or using natural cells and molecules and place them within a redesigned system. The purpose for synthetic biology is to understand the factors involved in a problem wherein observation and analysis are not enough. Construction of new models and redesigning biological systems are needed to further comprehend it. Being able to design and build a system further enhances the measure of understanding of the factors involved.

Currently, synthetic biology have developed devices that can diagnose diseases, monitor and identify cancer cells in the blood stream, and even be used to treat common diseases such as acne (See Related Links below).

This is done by creating cells through genetic manipulation. DNA manipulation is similar to coding a computer. The Human Genome Project successfully mapped and sequenced the human gene from both the physical and functional standpoints. By combining certain gene sequences that activate a process, a synthetic biologist can construct a biological system or device. This can be compared to using Lego building blocks to create a structure.

A common application for synthetic biology is creating artificial molecules that mimic natural molecules such as enzymes. Enzymes are large biological molecules responsible for chemical reactions within the body to keep it going.

Synthetic Biology Combined With Systems Biology Can Help Artificially Engineered Cells To Solve Environmental Problems

Transmission electron micrograph of metabolically engineered Escherichia coli cells accumulating poly(lactate-co-3hydroxybutyrate) copolymers

A new and emerging field in biology is synthetic biology. According to the synthetic biology community, synthetic biology can be defined as:

• The design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems, and;
• the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes.

Synthetic biology is split into two types or disciplines. One group looks at creating unnatural cells to copy or mimic natural molecules. This can be done by inserting man-made dna to a cell, for instance. Another group looks at using natural cells and molecules and placing them within a system which makes it behave unnaturally.

Combining this field of science with systems biology, which is the study of how cell structures behave as one whole system, scientists can construct a cell or group of cells to function in a way that can help solve a particular problem.

An example of this would be to artificially construct a cell or a system that can address an environmental problem such as an oil spill. A scientist can construct an organism that can convert petroleum polluting the ocean into a biodegradable product or even oxygen.

Another way would be to create a cell to produce a biodegradable fuel such as the ones used in manufacturing algae-based fuel. There are even microbes that can directly produce electricity (piezoelectricity).

Medical applications can also benefit this technology. Microbes and microbial systems such as cancer detecting molecules or even organisms that can target a specific harmful protein can be created.

Super-microbes engineered to solve world environmental problems

Environmental problems, such as depleting natural resources, highlight the need to establish a renewable chemical industry. Metabolic engineering enhances the production of chemicals made by microbes in so-called "cell factories". Next Monday, world class scientist Professor Sang Yup Lee of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) will explain how metabolic engineering could lead to the development of solutions to these environmental problems.

For example, the polyester polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable material with a wide range of uses, from medical implants, to cups, bags, food packaging and disposable tableware. It and its co-polymer can be produced by direct fermentation of renewable resources using metabolically engineered Escherichia coli.