Electrogenetics: Bridging synthetic biology and electronics to remotely control the behavior of mammalian designer cells. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mansouri, Maysam; Fussenegger, Martin
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in chemical biology. Volume 68(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Synthetic biology -- Therapeutic cell engineering -- Traceless switch control -- Electrostimulation -- Electrogenetics; Bioorganic chemistry -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Clinical biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie bio-organique -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Périodiques; 572.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-5931

Abstract

Abstract: Electrogenetics, the combination of electronics and genetics, is an emerging field of mammalian synthetic biology in which electrostimulation is used to remotely program user-designed genetic elements within designer cells to generate desired outputs. Here, we describe recent advances in electro-induced therapeutic gene expression and therapeutic protein secretion in engineered mammalian cells. We also review available tools and strategies to engineer electro-sensitive therapeutic designer cells that are able to sense electrical pulses and produce appropriate clinically relevant outputs in response. We highlight current limitations facing mammalian electrogenetics and suggest potential future directions for research. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: In electrogenetics, electrical fields are used to control engineered cell behavior. Electrostimulation offers safe, precise, efficient remote control of designer cells. Bioelectronic implants have huge potential for next-generation precision medicine.