Multiplexing cell‐cell communication

Abstract

Abstract The engineering of advanced multicellular behaviors, such as the programmed growth of biofilms or tissues, requires cells to communicate multiple aspects of physiological information. Unfortunately, few cell‐cell communication systems have been developed for synthetic biology. Here, we engineer a genetically encoded channel selector device that enables a single communication system to transmit two separate intercellular conversations. Our design comprises multiplexer and demultiplexer sub‐circuits constructed from a total of 12 CRISPRi‐based transcriptional logic gates, an acyl homoserine lactone‐based communication module, and three inducible promoters that enable small molecule control over the conversations. Experimentally parameterized mathematical models of the sub‐components predict the steady state and dynamical performance of the full system. Multiplexed cell‐cell communication has applications in synthetic development, metabolic engineering, and other areas requiring the coordination of multiple pathways among a community of cells.

Keywords

• cell‐cell communication
• CRISPRi
• genetic circuit design
• multiplexers
• synthetic biology