Genetically engineered microbiome: Modifying bacteria for health

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Genetically engineered microbiome: Modifying bacteria for health

Genetically engineered microbiome: Modifying bacteria for health

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Experiments altering different bacterial populations to perform desired functions yield promising results.
    • Author:
    • Author name
      Quantumrun Foresight
    • March 8, 2023

    The microbiome consists of microorganisms in a particular environment. Genetically modifying the microbiome could help suppress or exhibit certain traits and deliver therapeutics, finding various practical applications in the agriculture, health, and well-being sectors.

    Genetically engineered microbiome context

    The gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms in the human gut, plays a significant role in health. Recent research has shown that the gut microbiome can affect autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and even depression. However, the balance of this delicate ecosystem can be disturbed by various factors such as diet and antibiotics, making it difficult to restore. 

    Several researchers are looking into genetically modifying microbiomes to increase their chances of survival and adaptability. For example, scientists at Texas A&M University used the symbiotic relationship of a bacterium, E. coli, and a roundworm to genetically engineer the worm’s microbiome in 2021. They noticed that when fluorescence-suppressing genes were inserted into the plasmid of E. coli, the worms that consumed it would stop exhibiting fluorescence. The same year, scientists at the University of California San Francisco successfully loaded bacteria-hunting viruses with the CRISPR gene editing system to delete chromosomes within E. coli.

    Back in 2018, researchers at Harvard Medical School worked to make bacteria communicate to coordinate and control them in harmony. They introduced signaler and responder genetic circuits to release and detect a compound quorum into two types of bacteria. When mice were fed these bacteria, the guts of all mice displayed signs of signal transmission, confirming the successful communication of bacteria. The aim remains to create a synthetic microbiome with engineered bacteria in the human gut that are efficient at communicating among themselves while performing their functions. 

    Disruptive impact 

    Exploring the potential of using gene-editing techniques to manipulate the gut microbiome can address imbalances contributing to various health issues. For example, more research can discover delivering therapeutics to correct bacterial imbalances within the complex human gut. By genetically engineering bacteria known to be beneficial for gut health, scientists can create new treatments for various gut-related disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and even obesity. It also allows for newer treatment methods for diabetes due to hormonal imbalances. 

    One reason why bacteria are easier to genetically manipulate is due to their DNA composition. These tiny organisms have pieces of DNA called plasmids in addition to the main elements of DNA called chromosomes. Plasmids can make copies of themselves and have fewer genes than chromosomes, making them easier to change with genetic tools. Specifically, pieces of DNA from other organisms can be put into bacteria plasmids.

    When plasmids make copies of themselves, they also make copies of the added genes, called transgenes. For example, if a human gene for making insulin is added to a plasmid, as the bacteria makes copies of the plasmid, it also creates more copies of the insulin gene. When these genes are used, it produces more insulin. However, scientists agree that this possibility is still a long way off due to the high complexity of microbiomes. Nonetheless, current studies can also have several applications in pest control, enhancing plant growth, and diagnosing veterinary diseases. 

    Implications of genetically engineered microbiomes

    The broader implications of successful genetic engineering of the microbiome within multiple environments may include:

    • Increased research in gene-editing tools, such as CRISPR.
    • Opening up new possibilities for producing biofuels, food, and other products by creating new strains of bacteria better suited for specific tasks.
    • Reduced use of antibiotics that target bacteria indiscriminately. 
    • Increased interest in personalized medicine and diagnosis, where treatments are customized based on a person’s gut microbiome.
    • Potential risks in the proliferation of bacteria that can increase the occurrence of other diseases.

    Questions to consider

    • Given the complexity of the human gut’s microbiome, do you think its complete genetic engineering is possible soon?
    • How costly do you predict the widespread applications of such processes to be?

    Insight references

    The following popular and institutional links were referenced for this insight: