Multifaceted Applications of Synthetic Microbial Communities: Advances in Biomedicine, Bioremediation, and Industry

Abstract

The broad range of applications offered by synthetic biology and bioengineering has revolutionized the ability to design and redesign microorganisms to express specific functions, overcoming the limitations of natural biological systems. This advancement has been achieved through the use of mathematical models and genetic circuits, enabling the precise design of synthetic microbial communities. These are defined as artificially created communities through co-cultures of selected species that share similar characteristics and environments. Reprogramming an organism is carried out by inserting synthetic genetic circuits, which are designed in a controlled manner to obtain biotechnological products beneficial to humans, their health, and the environment. The potential applications in medicine, bioremediation, industry, and pharmaceuticals make the research of synthetic microbial communities a promising field for the future. However, the implementation of synthetic microbial communities carries potential risks, such as horizontal gene transfer and possible environmental impacts. It is crucial to carefully evaluate these functions and risks, considering biocontainment and the associated ethical and ecological implications.