Engineered bacteria detect tumor DNA.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 37561843.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/science.adf3974 and PMC identifier 10852993.
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Abstract
Synthetic biology has developed sophisticated cellular biosensors to detect and respond to human disease. However, biosensors have not yet been engineered to detect specific extracellular DNA sequences and mutations. Here, we engineered naturally competent <i>Acinetobacter baylyi</i> to detect donor DNA from the genomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, organoids, and tumors. We characterized the functionality of the biosensors in vitro with coculture assays and then validated them in vivo with sensor bacteria delivered to mice harboring colorectal tumors. We observed horizontal gene transfer from the tumor to the sensor bacteria in our mouse model of CRC. This cellular assay for targeted, CRISPR-discriminated horizontal gene transfer (CATCH) enables the biodetection of specific cell-free DNA.
Medical subject headings
- Colorectal Neoplasms
- DNA, Neoplasm
- Acinetobacter
- Cell-Free Nucleic Acids
- Biosensing Techniques