Enhance Your Gut Feeling with Bacteria (Part 2)
While tried-and-tested ways to collect data, clean pollution and produce electricity are unlikely to change today, in the near future, bacteria may be the biological agent of change we need.
In part one, the remarkable abilities of various bacteria were shown to have applications in green technology and electricity generation. This one goes further in considering them as a kind of biological intelligence and a measurement device.
Scientists are developing materials that can support the growth of electric bacteria while efficiently harvesting the electricity they produce. One such development is a nanocomposite material made of carbon nanotubes and silica nanoparticles, bound together by DNA strands. This material provides a scaffold for the growth of exoelectrogenic bacteria (bacteria that produce electricity), allowing efficient electron transfer to an electrode. Meanwhile, studies have shown that bacteria like Bacillus subtilis can communicate electrically within biofilms and even with other species, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This communication occurs through electrical signals facilitated by potassium ions, sparking impulses across bacterial membranes.
Bacteria communicate using a process known as quorum sensing, which involves the release and detection of chemical signal molecules called autoinducers. These molecules allow bacteria to assess their population density and coordinate collective behaviors, such as releasing toxins or bioluminescence. In some bacteria, quorum sensing has been observed to facilitate both intra-species and inter-species communication. This could aid with the development of infection-resistant materials and new strategies for combating virulent bacteria.
Researchers have made significant strides in using bacteria combined with software and computer technology to monitor various aspects of human health. One of the promising developments in this field is the creation of genetically modified gut bacteria equipped with a data logger function. These modified bacteria can record and relay information about the gut's environment, including dietary changes and inflammatory responses, without disturbing the body's normal functions. By analyzing the genetic "barcodes" of these bacteria, researchers can distinguish between different bacterial strains and understand their roles in gut health. This method has a distinct advantage over traditional procedures like endoscopies, which can be invasive and uncomfortable for patients.
Medical diagnostics leverage genetically modified bacteria (GMB) to identify disease markers, offering a non-invasive alternative for monitoring health. ETH Zurich researchers have engineered gut bacteria to track dietary and inflammation changes, aiding in the management of conditions like IBS and Crohn's disease. In cancer research, modified bacteria signal tumor presence via urinary markers, exemplified by liver cancer detection studies. Also, bacteria-derived antibiotics and probiotics enhance treatment regimes. Not to mention how helpful bacteria is for insulin production. More broadly, Bacteria-based sensors in wearable devices could, among other possibilities, be used to analyze sweat composition to monitor stress levels, hydration status, or metabolic imbalances. This gives a method for non-invasive monitoring of health status.
In pharmaceutical testing, bacteria are used for assessing the efficacy and toxicity of new compounds. This method provides a rapid and cost-effective alternative to traditional testing methods, speeding up the development process and ensuring safety and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products.
GMB also offers real-time insights into soil and water quality and track air pollution levels. Bacteria can be engineered to react to heavy metals and other toxins alter their colour, appearance or emit signals for quick identification. Also, it can be used as fertilizer, but also for protecting crops from diseases like rice blight, minimizing pesticide use and enhancing food security. Furthermore, it can be used for detecting soil nitrogen levels assist in optimal fertilizer application, reducing environmental footprints, identifying plant diseases early, and mitigating crop loss risks. They stand to significantly contribute to the microbial food revolution.
Their high protein content and sustainable cultivation position them as viable alternative protein sources. Fermentation processes, vital for food production, benefit from genetically modified strains, improving food's taste, nutrition, and overall sustainability. Utilized in sectors like brewing and pharmaceuticals, these bacteria provide real-time data on crucial parameters including pH, temperature, and nutrient levels. This information is instrumental in enhancing production efficiency and elevating product quality.
Remote sensing is a key tool in global environmental monitoring. Satellite remote sensing utilizes satellite imagery to observe large-scale changes, including data on land cover, vegetation dynamics, and water quality, allowing researchers to track trends, evaluate ecosystem health, and observe changes in habitats worldwide.
Smart sensor networks, tailored for environmental surveillance, collect critical data like temperature, humidity, and air quality in diverse ecosystems such as forests, rivers, or oceans. They are wirelessly linked for real-time data transmission. Aiding wildlife research, biometric sensors are being integrated with animals or plants gather data on physiological responses, including heart rate and metabolic activity. This offers insights into the stress levels in natural habitats, a useful ecological indicator.
Advancements in DNA sequencing enable the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA), the genetic traces organisms leave in their surroundings. Sequencing eDNA from sources like water or soil helps in detecting various species, notably those that are rare or hard to observe. This method is invaluable for biodiversity monitoring and ecological studies.
How might Artificial Intelligence (AI) impact the value of using bacteria as a biotechnology? One application of Machine Learning (ML) with bacteria is fermentation monitoring. This integration leads to more efficient bioprocessing in pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and biofuels, reducing waste and cost while fostering novel bio-based products.
ML excels in pattern recognition, crucial for interpreting RNA data logged by bacteria. It identifies specific patterns corresponding to stimuli, reducing reliance on extensive RNA module libraries. ML narrows down the analysis of RNA data, reducing the search space, by predicting RNA sequences linked to specific conditions, thereby streamlining the process. The sensitivity and specificity of ML algorithms enable differentiation between similar RNA sequences, vital in complex biological environments. Integrating ML with live data streaming from bacteria could enable real-time analysis and quicker response times.
ML's continuous learning and adaptation enhance the accuracy and efficiency of bacterial RNA logging systems over time. This means that the bacterial RNA logging system could become more accurate and efficient over time, as the ML model refines its predictions based on accumulated data. This is especially valuable in applications like disease monitoring or environmental sensing, where timely data interpretation is critical. Additionally, ML models are customizable for specific applications, focusing on environmental pollutants, disease biomarkers, or agricultural conditions as needed.
Raman spectroscopy is emerging as a powerful tool for bacterial identification and assessing antibiotic resistance. Its combination with deep learning enables rapid, precise classification of pathogenic bacteria. By training neural networks on spectroscopic data, this method achieves high accuracy in detecting bacterial species and their resistance profiles, essential for clinical decision-making. Combining spectroscopy with GMB could potentially open new avenues in diagnostics and environmental monitoring. For instance, Raman spectroscopy could be used to analyze external samples for pathogens or contaminants, while GMB could provide detailed internal monitoring.
Regulation of biotechnology, including the use of GMB, is governed by various laws and standards. In the United States, the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard mandates the labeling of bioengineered foods, defining them as foods modified using recombinant DNA techniques not achievable through conventional breeding or found in nature. This standard sets labeling and record-keeping requirements for bioengineered foods and exempts certain categories like food served in restaurants and very small manufacturers. In regards to historical law, one significant case is the Diamond v. Chakrabarty decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980, which ruled that GMB are patentable.
As the microbiome is a factor in certain infectious diseases, ethical concerns arise regarding disease surveillance, data collection, and informed consent in emergency situations. The complexities increase when considering microbial agents that might benefit some but harm others, raising questions about the broader public health risks associated with microbiome alterations. Related considerations include including human embryo research, organoid research, and the creation of genetically modified organisms. There is a need to justify the use of such technologies, addressing risks and ensuring public trust and progress in medical research and its clinical translation.
Beyond bacteria, other forms of life are being increasingly found as part of our daily lives. Fungi, demonstrating their versatility beyond the natural world, are now pivotal in creating sustainable materials like biodegradable packaging and eco-friendly building substances, utilizing mycelium for its robust yet decomposable properties. Yeast, traditionally known for its role in fermentation, steps into the arena of sustainability by engineering strains capable of producing bioethanol and bioplastics, presenting renewable alternatives to conventional, fossil fuel-based products. Algae, in a bid to combat climate change, are employed in innovative bioreactors, capturing carbon dioxide emissions while simultaneously producing biofuels. Then, bacteriophages, in an age where antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat, are being harnessed for targeted treatments of bacterial infections.
Read on to learn more about the unexpected and wondrous ways that animals contribute to ecosystems. Did you know that detective agencies are using blowflies to solve crimes? Or that you can use bees as a biotechnology? How about the role of bats in producing tequila? That bears inadvertently sustain forests by dragging fishes from the river? Read on to learn more.