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Luo et al. Microbiome Res Rep 2025;4:10 Microbiome Research
DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2024.57
Reports

Review Open Access

Potential applications of engineered bacteria in
disease diagnosis and treatment

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Zhaowei Luo , Zhanghua Qi , Jie Luo , Tingtao Chen 3,4
1
School of Huankui Academy, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China.
2
School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China.
3
National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine,
Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China.
4
School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China.
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Authors contributed equally.
Correspondence to: Prof. Tingtao Chen, National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies,
Institute of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, No.999 Xuefu Road, Honggutan New District,
Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China. E-mail: chentingtao1984@163.com; Dr. Jie Luo, School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical
College, Nanchang University, No.999 Xuefu Road, Honggutan New District, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China. E-mail:
jieluo@ncu.edu.cn
How to cite this article: Luo Z, Qi Z, Luo J, Chen T. Potential applications of engineered bacteria in disease diagnosis and
treatment. Microbiome Res Rep 2025;4:10. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/mrr.2024.57

Received: 20 Aug 2024 First Decision: 1 Nov 2024 Revised: 24 Nov 2024 Accepted: 28 Nov 2024 Published: 17 Dec 2024
Academic Editors: Bo Yang, Marco Ventura Copy Editor: Pei-Yun Wang Production Editor: Pei-Yun Wang

Abstract
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when administered in appropriate
quantities. This beneficial effect has spurred extensive research in the medical and health fields. With rapid
advancements in synthetic biology, the genetic and biological characteristics of a broad array of probiotics have
been elucidated. Utilizing these insights, genetic editing technologies now enable the precise modification of
probiotics, leading to the development of engineered bacteria. Emerging evidence underscores the significant
potential of these engineered bacteria in disease management. This review explores the methodologies for creating
engineered bacteria, their preliminary applications in healthcare, and the mechanisms underlying their functions.
Engineered bacteria are being developed for roles such as in vivo drug delivery systems, biosensors, and mucosal
vaccines, thereby contributing to the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of conditions including inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD), metabolic disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The review concludes by
assessing the advantages and limitations of engineered bacteria in the context of disease management.

Keywords: Engineered bacteria, probiotics, synthetic biology, IBD, cancer, biosensors, mucosal vaccines

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
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