Chemically modified bacteria

Cell surface engineering using chemical tools is a pivotal approach in modern biology, enabling precise modifications of cell membranes to study, control, and enhance cellular functions, as well as to endow cells with novel, unnatural properties. Our group has developed a simple, efficient and widely applicable method for decorating bacteria with artificial, self-assembled receptors based on oligonucleotide-small molecule (SM) conjugates. With this approach, bacteria can be ‘programmed’ to glow, adhere to surfaces, or interact with specific proteins or mammalian cells. This technology enabled the creation of fluorescent bacterial probes (B-probes) that can selectively bind and label different types of cancer cells. The high efficiency by which the B-probes label the cancer cells is attributed to two main factors: The first is the large number of CSM binders covering the bacterial scaffolds. This enables the B-probes to engage in multivalent interactions with the cancer cells, resulting in high-affinity binding. The second factor is the large number of fluorophores decorating each bacterium, enabling individual B-probes to generate a strong emission signal.

Selected relevant publications

1. Mater. Today Bio. 2023, 20, 100669.
2. Small 2023, 19, 2206136.
3. Nat. Commun. 2020, 11 :1299.