Abstract:
Nature exhibits an enormous diversity of organisms that thrive in extreme environments. From snow algae that reproduce at sub-zero temperatures to radiotrophic fungi that thrive in nuclear radiation at Chernobyl, extreme organisms raise many questions about the limits of life. Is there any environment where life could not \"find a way\"? Although many individual extremophilic organisms have been identified and studied, there remain outstanding questions about the limits of life and the extent to which extreme properties can be enhanced, combined or transferred to new organisms. In this review, we compile the current knowledge on the bioengineering of extremophile microbes. We summarize what is known about the basic mechanisms of extreme adaptations, compile synthetic biology\'s efforts to engineer extremophile organisms beyond what is found in nature, and highlight which adaptations can be combined. The basic science of extremophiles can be applied to engineered organisms tailored to specific biomanufacturing needs, such as growth in high temperatures or in the presence of unusual solvents.
摘要:
大自然展示了在极端环境中茁壮成长的生物的巨大多样性。从零度以下温度下繁殖的雪藻到切尔诺贝利核辐射中茁壮成长的放射性真菌,极端生物提出了许多关于生命极限的问题。有没有生命无法“找到出路”的环境?尽管已经确定和研究了许多个体极端生物,关于寿命的极限和极端性能可以增强的程度,仍然存在悬而未决的问题,结合或转移到新的生物体。在这次审查中,我们汇编了有关极端微生物生物工程的最新知识。我们总结了已知的极端适应的基本机制,编译合成生物学的努力,使极端微生物超出自然界中的发现,并强调哪些改编可以组合。极端微生物的基础科学可以应用于针对特定生物制造需求而定制的工程生物,例如在高温下或在不寻常的溶剂存在下生长。