The predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus kills and consumes other bacteria, including dangerous pathogens. It lives in a variety of environments and has great potential in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Due to its unique lifestyle, B. bacteriovorus holds great promise as an alternative to traditional antimicrobials against drug-resistant pathogens and in preventing food waste. Furthermore, predatory enzymes possess biotechnological potential. However, research and engineering efforts have been limited by the lack of genetic tools tailored to this organism.
We developed a molecular toolbox to modulate gene expression and protein secretion in B. bacteriovorus. We tested a range of native and synthetic gene promoters at population and single-cell levels and evaluated the effect of different ribosomal binding sites. Further, we established a protocol to quantify extracellular release of a reporter protein. By enabling more precise genetic control, our work brings B. bacteriovorus a step closer to practical use as a biological tool to address antibiotic resistance and other microbial challenges.
