title: Nano-guided cell networks as conveyors of molecular communication.
abstract: Advances in nanotechnology have provided unprecedented physical means to sample molecular space. Living cells provide additional capability in that they identify molecules within complex environments and actuate function. We have merged cells with nanotechnology for an integrated molecular processing network. Here we show that an engineered cell consortium autonomously generates feedback to chemical cues. Moreover, abiotic components are readily assembled onto cells, enabling amplified and 'binned' responses. Specifically, engineered cell populations are triggered by a quorum sensing (QS) signal molecule, autoinducer-2, to express surface-displayed fusions consisting of a fluorescent marker and an affinity peptide. The latter provides means for attaching magnetic nanoparticles to fluorescently activated subpopulations for coalescence into colour-indexed output. The resultant nano-guided cell network assesses QS activity and conveys molecular information as a 'bio-litmus' in a manner read by simple optical means.
authors.affiliation: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 2330 Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.|Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Terrell
authors.affiliation: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 2330 Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.|Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Hsuan-Chen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 2330 Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.|Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Chen-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.affiliation: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 2330 Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Research Laboratory, 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Servinsky
authors.affiliation: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 2330 Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.|Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.affiliation: Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 2330 Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.|Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Bentley
mesh_terms: D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D060846:Cell Engineering; D005246:Feedback; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006714:Homoserine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D007783:Lactones / Q000378:metabolism*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D036103:Nanotechnology; D053038:Quorum Sensing
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007783:Lactones; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; C091088:N-octanoylhomoserine lactone; C452700:streptavidin-binding peptide; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006714:Homoserine