E. coli is a rod-shaped, facultative anaerobe, gram-negative bacterium first isolated in 1885 by the German pediatrician Theodor Escherich. Today, it’s one of the premier hubs for biotech innovation. Commonly found in human and animal intestines, this bacterium is usually thought of in connection with disease. Its rapid growth rate is what makes it so immensely useful. Its manipulability has set it as a paradigmatic organism in genetics and molecular biology.
Over the years, E. coli has been instrumental in numerous scientific breakthroughs, including deciphering the genetic code and paving the way for genetic engineering. Then, in the 1970s, researchers made history by genetically engineering the first organism. They were able to use CRISPR to insert foreign DNA into its genome. That milestone led to the development of the first synthetic human insulin in 1978. Moreover, it did a great job addressing key challenges in insulin production quality addressed by the diabetes innovation pathway.
Professor Stephen Wallace, who is one of the foremost authorities on the subject, aptly describes E. coli as the primary “workhorse” for genetic inquiry. Its utility extends far beyond typical applications. Wallace has genetically designed E. coli to create artificial vanilla flavor, highlighting the organism’s growing usefulness in multiple industries.
Perhaps more importantly, E. coli’s industrial applications have really begun to take off with the backing of major industry players like Ginkgo Bioworks. These organizations harness E. coli’s powers to create groundbreaking solutions benefiting a wide range of biotechnology industries. Buz Barstow highlights the bacterium’s unique ability to absorb foreign DNA, stating that its proficiency in this regard is equivalent to “going from a horse to a car,” emphasizing the organism’s advanced genetic capabilities compared to others.
In 1997, E. coli went on to become one of the first organisms to have its entirety of its genome sequenced. That accomplishment drew attention to its status as a new model organism to teach general principles of biology. It deepened its leadership role in the arena of scientific research.
In spite of these benefits, researchers are increasingly raising alarm about the dangers of over-reliance on E. coli. Paul Jensen notes, “We are just so deep with E. coli that we are not investigating enough.” Though in many ways a humorous trolly comment, this sentiment does reflect a real and burgeoning interest within the scientific community to look beyond highly manipulated M.
As researchers take their attention, and studies, out of the bounds of E. coli, they’re still blown away by its resilience. Adam Feist observes, “The more I work with more microorganisms, the more I appreciate just how robust E. coli is.” Its economic efficiency is important to its current popularity. Cynthia Collins states, “It’s very economical; you can pump out a lot.”
For all its successes, some experts are advising against putting all our eggs in the E. coli basket. Barstow asserts, “Simply put, E. coli won’t get us to any of these visions. V. natriegens might,” suggesting that future advancements may require exploring other microorganisms better suited for novel applications.