Using recombinant DNA technology, various whole-cell biosensors have been developed for detection of environmental pollutants, including heavy metal ions. Whole-cell biosensors have several advantages: easy and inexpensive cultivation, multiple assays, and no requirement of any special techniques for analysis. In the era of synthetic biology, cutting-edge DNA sequencing and gene synthesis technologies have accelerated the development of cell-based biosensors. Here, we summarize current technological advances in whole-cell heavy metal biosensors, including the synthetic biological components (bioparts), sensing and reporter modules, genetic circuits, and chassis cells. We discuss several opportunities for improvement of synthetic cell-based biosensors. First, new functional modules must be discovered in genome databases, and this knowledge must be used to upgrade specific bioparts through molecular engineering. Second, modules must be assembled into functional biosystems in chassis cells. Third, heterogeneity of individual cells in the microbial population must be eliminated. In the perspectives, the development of whole-cell biosensors is also discussed in the aspects of cultivation methods and synthetic cells.

利用重组DNA技术，已开发出各种全细胞生物传感器来检测环境污染物，包括重金属离子。全细胞生物传感器具有几个优点：简便且廉价的培养，多种测定方法，并且不需要任何特殊的分析技术。在合成生物学时代，尖端的DNA测序和基因合成技术加速了基于细胞的生物传感器的发展。在这里，我们总结了全细胞重金属生物传感器的当前技术进步，包括合成生物成分（生物部分），传感和报告模块，遗传电路和底盘细胞。我们讨论了几种改进基于合成细胞的生物传感器的机会。首先，必须在基因组数据库中发现新的功能模块，并且必须使用这些知识来通过分子工程升级特定的生物部件。其次，必须将模块组装到底架细胞中的功能性生物系统中。第三，必须消除微生物群体中单个细胞的异质性。从角度来看，全细胞生物传感器的开发也从培养方法和合成细胞方面进行了讨论。