MIT researchers engineer living bacterial circuits

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have engineered bacterial colonies capable of performing logical and arithmetic calculations. Published in Nature Chemical Biology, the study details the creation of “living circuit boards” using the bacterium Pantoea agglomerans.

By arranging these microorganisms on agar plates, the team developed two types of bacterial transistors and three relay strains that regulate the movement of signaling molecules. This biological system mimics electronic components by controlling the flow of information through molecular signals rather than electrical current. The physical arrangement of the colonies determines the circuit's function, allowing for different calculations without altering the genetic code.

The researchers aim to apply this technology to agriculture by placing these living circuits on plant leaves or roots. Such sensors could monitor environmental stressors, such as drought, pests, or diseases, and trigger appropriate biological responses.