Enhancing cell-based therapies with synthetic gene circuits responsive to molecular stimuli
Open access
Date
2024Type
- Review Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Synthetic biology aims to contribute to the development of next-generation patient-specific cell-based therapies for chronic diseases especially through the construction of sophisticated synthetic gene switches to enhance the safety and spatiotemporal controllability of engineered cells. Indeed, switches that sense and process specific cues, which may be either externally administered triggers or endogenous disease-associated molecules, have emerged as powerful tools for programming and fine-tuning therapeutic outputs. Living engineered cells, often referred to as designer cells, incorporating such switches are delivered to patients either as encapsulated cell implants or by infusion, as in the case of the clinically approved CAR-T cell therapies. Here, we review recent developments in synthetic gene switches responsive to molecular stimuli, spanning regulatory mechanisms acting at the transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational levels. We also discuss current challenges facing clinical translation of cell-based therapies employing these devices. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000679539Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Biotechnology and BioengineeringPublisher
WileySubject
cell therapies; designer cells; genetic switches; mammalian cell engineering; synthetic biologyFunding
785800 - Electrogenetics - Shaping Electrogenetic Interfaces for Closed-Loop Voltage-Controlled Gene Expression (EC)
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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