About this Research Topic
Synthetic biology has become a novel and exciting field in biology. After learning how to ‘read’ DNA, now we can ‘write’ it so that molecules and organisms can perform new tasks. The tools and methods developed for creating individual molecules or whole genomes have paved the avenue for the construction of organisms capable of producing specific molecules, identifying essential genes, redesigning metabolic pathways among many others. Any new advancement in this field is important to develop new technologies. One important field that has emerged is the use of whole-cell for biosensing technologies, that can reduce the costs of detecting contaminants, toxins, heavy metals, sensing biomarkers for disease diagnostics, and many more; reducing the costs of detection and rendering good sensitivity and specificity.
The proposed Research Topic is aimed to gather together original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, methods for gene assembly directed to generate whole-cell biosensors in microorganisms (both model and non-model microorganisms), perspectives at the leading edge for closing the gap between analytical tools and whole-cell biosensors. The importance of this field relies on:
1. Applying methods for the development of novel sensing mechanisms in microbial cells, such as logical artificial circuits, redesigning sensory proteins, or signal transduction pathways.
2. Applying synthetic biology methods for generating biosensing technologies.
3. The repurposing of signal transduction pathways, metabolic engineering, using cellular mechanisms that drive cellular response as mechanisms for sensing pollutants, metabolites, biomarkers, etc.
4. Comparative analysis between analytical tools and whole-cell biosensors.
5. The use or modification of novel reporter genes for whole-cell biosensors
For this Research Topic, papers within the proposed goals will be considered. Also, novel methods for the generation of genetic circuits will be considered. We strongly encourage authors working on non-model organisms generating novel biosensing technologies to submit their research. We are also looking for research aimed to adapt and use novel reporter genes or mechanisms for easy detection of whole-cell biosensor activation. Finally, all the contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements.
The proposed Research Topic is aimed to gather together original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, methods for gene assembly directed to generate whole-cell biosensors in microorganisms (both model and non-model microorganisms), perspectives at the leading edge for closing the gap between analytical tools and whole-cell biosensors. The importance of this field relies on:
1. Applying methods for the development of novel sensing mechanisms in microbial cells, such as logical artificial circuits, redesigning sensory proteins, or signal transduction pathways.
2. Applying synthetic biology methods for generating biosensing technologies.
3. The repurposing of signal transduction pathways, metabolic engineering, using cellular mechanisms that drive cellular response as mechanisms for sensing pollutants, metabolites, biomarkers, etc.
4. Comparative analysis between analytical tools and whole-cell biosensors.
5. The use or modification of novel reporter genes for whole-cell biosensors
For this Research Topic, papers within the proposed goals will be considered. Also, novel methods for the generation of genetic circuits will be considered. We strongly encourage authors working on non-model organisms generating novel biosensing technologies to submit their research. We are also looking for research aimed to adapt and use novel reporter genes or mechanisms for easy detection of whole-cell biosensor activation. Finally, all the contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements.
Keywords: synthetic biology, regulatory mechanisms in bacteria, biosensing technology, genetic engineering, cell-to-cell communication, artificial sensory pathways in microorganisms
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
