Bacteria produced "cyborgs" resistant to antibiotics and acidity
Biologists have developed cyborg bacteria: they combine a living cell with synthetic components. Such organisms are unable to reproduce, but they can perform useful tasks.Bioengineers at the University of California, Davis, have turned bacteria into semi-living "cyborg cells. They retain basic biological functions but are unable to reproduce. Such "castrated" bacteria could be used for drug delivery and medical research.
In a paper published in Advanced Science, the researchers describe a new approach to synthetic biology. They filled living bacterial cells with basic units of an artificial polymer. The polymer placed inside the cells was packed into a hydrogel matrix using ultraviolet light. The modified cells retained almost all functions, but could not reproduce.
Traditionally, scientists use either a living bacterial cell with edited DNA or an artificial cell with a synthetic membrane and biomolecules to create cells with the desired functions. Each has its own disadvantages: a living cell is more flexible, but is able to reproduce and mutate, while an artificial cell is too primitive and solves a small range of problems.
Researchers found that cyborg cells were more resistant to stressors that could kill normal cells. For example, they showed resistance to hydrogen peroxide, antibiotics or high pH levels. In the experiment, biologists created cyborg bacteria that could penetrate cancer cells.
The researchers will continue to analyze different materials for biosynthetic cells. They hope the finished cyborg bacteria will find a wide range of applications, from environmental problems to diagnosing and treating diseases.