Microbiome Engineering: Exploring Probiotic and Synthetic Biology Approaches for Health and Industry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1071/ejmbs.v5i2.38Keywords:
Microbiome engineering, Probiotics, Synthetic biology, CRISPR, Industrial biotechnologyAbstract
Microbiome engineering is a ground-breaking field with profound implications for human health, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology. By leveraging probiotics and synthetic biology, scientists are able to manage microbial communities to achieve optimal disease prevention, industrial process optimization, and environmental sustainability. In spite of excellent advances, challenges in the fields of biosafety, functionality, and regulatory strategies remain. This review highlights present developments in microbiome engineering, namely genetically engineered probiotics and synthetic biology-driven microbial manipulation. The purpose is to highlight their therapeutic, industrial, and direction for research work. Engineered probiotics are being engineered for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic diseases, and immune system modulation, with implications to animal health and sustainable food production. Synthetic biology tools, including CRISPR-based genome editing and synthetic microbial consortia, have enabled precise genetic manipulations, enhancing the functional abilities of microbial communities. These advancements are revolutionizing biomanufacturing, environmental remediation, and biofuel production. Nevertheless, with such developments, there are still huge challenges, including scepticism about ecological risks, ethics, and the formulation of robust regulatory policies to guarantee effective and safe uses. Microbiome engineering holds immense potential to transform healthcare, industry, and environmental science. The combination of AI-powered microbiome analytics, personalized medicine approaches, and advanced biotechnology tools will further accelerate the momentum of this field. However, overcoming biosafety challenges and establishing effective regulatory frameworks will be crucial to scaling up laboratory breakthroughs to real-world applications. The future task must be focused on the creation of rigorous safety paradigms, microbial stability maximization, and personalized microbiome targeting for maximum efficacy. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to unlocking the full potential of microbiome engineering for global health and industrial sustainability.
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