What will future medical care look like under the wave of technology?

With the rapid development of science and technology, the future medical field is ushering in a revolution led by gene editing and synthetic biology. Among them, microbiology, as a bridge connecting life sciences and applications, is becoming increasingly important. This article will take you into this cutting-edge field, explore the application of gene editing and synthetic biology in microbiology, and how they bring unlimited possibilities for future medical development.

1. Gene editing: a “scalpel” for precise transformation of microorganisms

Gene editing technology, especially the CRISPR-Cas9 system, is known as the "gene scissors" of the 21st century. It can perform precise cutting and repair in the genome of microorganisms, achieving precise regulation of microbial traits. In the medical field, this technology provides unprecedented possibilities for the transformation and application of microorganisms.

In terms of drug development, gene editing technology can help us transform microorganisms in a targeted way to produce compounds with specific medicinal effects. For example, by editing the metabolic pathways of microorganisms, we can make them produce more bioactive substances that are beneficial to humans, such as antibiotics and vaccines. In addition, gene editing technology can also be used to optimize the production performance of microorganisms, increase the yield and purity of drugs, and reduce production costs.

In terms of disease treatment, gene editing technology provides us with new treatment methods. By editing the genes of human cells, we can correct genetic diseases caused by gene mutations; by editing the genes of microorganisms, we can construct "engineered bacteria" with specific functions for the treatment and prevention of diseases. For example, probiotics constructed using gene editing technology can remove harmful metabolites in the intestine and alleviate the symptoms of rare metabolic diseases.

2. Synthetic biology: a designer of novel biological systems

Synthetic biology is an emerging interdisciplinary subject that aims to achieve precise control of life processes by designing and building new biological systems. In the field of microbiology, synthetic biology provides us with new perspectives and tools for transforming and optimizing the performance of microorganisms.

Through synthetic biology methods, researchers can design and construct microbial strains with specific metabolic pathways to produce biological products with specific functions, such as biofuels and bioplastics. These biological products are not only environmentally friendly and renewable, but can also bring revolutionary changes to traditional industries. In addition, synthetic biology can also be used to construct microbial communities with special functions, such as microbial communities that can degrade pollutants. These communities can play an important role in the environment and contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Synthetic biology is like a "designer" that provides new ideas and methods for the research and application of microbiology by designing and building new biological systems. In microbiology, synthetic biology is mainly used in the following aspects:

Developing new biosynthetic pathways: With the innovative technology of synthetic biology, researchers carefully design and construct metabolic pathways with unprecedented functions. These unique metabolic pathways can give microorganisms excellent abilities to produce more abundant and diverse useful compounds. This move can not only significantly improve the production efficiency and performance of microorganisms, but also bring revolutionary breakthroughs and new thinking paths to key areas such as drug development and bioenergy. Through such efforts, researchers continue to broaden the boundaries of scientific research and inject new vitality into human progress and development.

Designing new metabolic pathways that are efficient and environmentally friendly: Synthetic biology has opened a window for us to reshape the metabolic pathways of microorganisms to make them more efficient and environmentally friendly. For example, researchers can carefully create a new photosynthesis system that can not only greatly improve the efficiency of microorganisms in capturing solar energy, but also inject new vitality into the development of bioenergy and lead a new chapter in green energy.

Promoting innovative production of heterologous metabolites: The application of synthetic biology enables researchers to cross species boundaries, cleverly integrate and optimize the metabolic pathways of different organisms, and thus achieve stable production of heterologous metabolites. This technology has shown great potential in the fields of new drug development, biomaterial innovation, etc., bringing revolutionary changes to scientific research and industrial development.

In short, with the increasing advancement of gene editing and synthetic biology technologies, we are standing at the threshold of a new era, where fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection will be revitalized by these technologies.

Figure: Schematic diagram of biological high technology (image generated by Kimi smart assistant)

About the author: Liu Rongrong, Ph.D., is an associate professor and master's supervisor at the Department of Microbiology and Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Air Force Medical University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, a member of the Shaanxi Microbiology Society, and is engaged in research related to infection and immunity.