Enhanced assembly of bacteriophage T7 produced in cell-free reactions under simulated microgravity

Lehr, F.-X.; Pavletic, B.; Glatter, T.; Heimerl, T.; Moeller, R.; Niederholtmeyer, H.

doi:10.1101/2022.12.16.520761

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2022.12.16.520761

Enhanced assembly of bacteriophage T7 produced in cell-free reactions under simulated microgravity

Lehr, F.-X.·Pavletic, B.·Glatter, T.·Heimerl, T.·Moeller, R.·Niederholtmeyer, H.

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Abstract

On-demand biomanufacturing has the potential to improve healthcare and self-sufficiency during space missions. Cell-free transcription and translation reactions combined with DNA blueprints can produce promising therapeutics like bacteriophages and virus-like particles. However, how space conditions affect the synthesis and self-assembly of such complex multi-protein structures is unknown. Here, we characterize the cell-free production of infectious bacteriophage T7 virions under simulated microgravity. Rotation in a 2D-clinostat increased the number of infectious particles compared to static controls. Quantitative analyses by mass spectrometry, immuno-dot-blot and real-time PCR showed no significant differences in protein and DNA contents, suggesting enhanced self-assembly of T7 phages in simulated microgravity. While the effects of genuine space conditions on the cell-free synthesis and assembly of bacteriophages remain to be investigated, our findings support the vision of a cell-free synthesis-enabled "astropharmacy".

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Lehr, F.-X., Pavletic, B., Glatter, T., Heimerl, T., Moeller, R., Niederholtmeyer, H.. 2022-12-17. Enhanced assembly of bacteriophage T7 produced in cell-free reactions under simulated microgravity. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.12.16.520761

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