Innovative breakthroughs in plant biology
At MIT, a research team has engineered bacteria to act as signal transmitters, potentially enabling plants to “sense and respond to environmental conditions such as drought or pest attacks”. This groundbreaking study was published in Nature Chemical Biology, outlining a revolutionary method for creating synthetic biology circuits using cellular communication akin to transistors in technology.
How the researchers achieved this
The researchers utilized Pantoea agglomerans, a common bacterium found on plant surfaces. By positioning these bacterial cells on petri dishes within a growth medium, they programmed the cells to react to specific molecules, switching them “on” or “off” to transmit signals. The largest of the circuits contained 24 living bacterial colonies capable of combining two inputs and directing signals across multiple paths simultaneously, demonstrating how the team strategically engineered bacteria for communication.
Potential applications
This research could pioneer ways for plants to become more reactive to environmental stresses. The team envisions using these circuits to code plant leaves or roots, empowering them to compute environmental changes and provoke adaptive responses. “We’re not trying to replace computers,” said Christopher Voigt, head of MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering, “but rather put computational control into biology.” The scientists aim to enhance these natural systems, providing new avenues for environmental computing.
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Research and development
Led by MIT postdoctoral researcher Hamid Doosthosseini, alongside former MIT postdoctoral researcher Haorong Chen, this study was supported by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the US Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. The innovative effort illustrates the growing intersection between biology and technology, as the researchers push the boundaries of scientific advancement, also seen in initiatives like the University of Cambridge’s algae-based batteries.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
How have MIT engineers transformed plant responses?
MIT engineers have transformed plant responses by engineering bacteria to act as signal transmitters, enabling plants to sense and respond to environmental conditions such as drought or pest attacks.
What bacterium did the MIT team use for their study?
The MIT team used Pantoea agglomerans, a common bacterium found on plant surfaces, to engineer bacteria for communication and signal transmission.
What are potential applications of this bacterial engineering research?
This research could lead to ways for plants to become more reactive to environmental stresses by using circuits to code plant leaves or roots, empowering them to compute environmental changes and provoke adaptive responses.