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Graham AJ, Partipilo G, Dundas CM, Miniel Mahfoud IE, Halwachs KN, Holwerda AJ, Simmons TR, FitzSimons TM, Coleman SM, Rinehart R, Chiu D, Tyndall AE, Sajbel KC, Rosales AM, Keitz BK. Transcriptional regulation of living materials via extracellular electron transfer. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01628-y. [PMID: 38783133 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01628-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Engineered living materials combine the advantages of biological and synthetic systems by leveraging genetic and metabolic programming to control material-wide properties. Here, we demonstrate that extracellular electron transfer (EET), a microbial respiration process, can serve as a tunable bridge between live cell metabolism and synthetic material properties. In this system, EET flux from Shewanella oneidensis to a copper catalyst controls hydrogel cross-linking via two distinct chemistries to form living synthetic polymer networks. We first demonstrate that synthetic biology-inspired design rules derived from fluorescence parameterization can be applied toward EET-based regulation of polymer network mechanics. We then program transcriptional Boolean logic gates to govern EET gene expression, which enables design of computational polymer networks that mechanically respond to combinations of molecular inputs. Finally, we control fibroblast morphology using EET as a bridge for programmed material properties. Our results demonstrate how rational genetic circuit design can emulate physiological behavior in engineered living materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin J Graham
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Gina Partipilo
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Christopher M Dundas
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Ismar E Miniel Mahfoud
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kathleen N Halwachs
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Alexis J Holwerda
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Trevor R Simmons
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Thomas M FitzSimons
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sarah M Coleman
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca Rinehart
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Darian Chiu
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Avery E Tyndall
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Kenneth C Sajbel
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Adrianne M Rosales
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin K Keitz
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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Yang T, Hou L, Fan X, Yan H, Bao F. One-Step Microfluidic Fabrication of Bioinspired Microfibers with a Spindle-Knot Structure for Fog Harvest. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:13756-13762. [PMID: 38466899 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c19004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Many biomimetic microfibers have been designed from spider silk to collect water efficiently from humid air as a result of its periodic spindle-knot structure, which enhances the direct movement and convergence of captured fog droplets. Here, a hydrodynamic flow-focusing microfluidic device with a theta-shaped tube is designed for the one-step fabrication of bioinspired microfibers with a spindle-knot structure for fog harvest. The morphology of the structured microfibers, including height, width, and spacing of spindle knots, can be adjusted readily by regulating the flow rate of specific phases. The production rate of these structured microfibers can reach 1100 cm/min. Moreover, the capture, transportation, and collection performance of fog droplets on various microfibers are investigated in a fog collection platform. It is demonstrated that our one-step microfluidic device presents a ready method for the fabrication of structured microfibers with spindle knots, which provide a significant facilitation on efficient fog capture and water collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbo Yang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Flow Measurement Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Likai Hou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Flow Measurement Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Fan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Flow Measurement Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yan
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Fubing Bao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Flow Measurement Technology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, People's Republic of China
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Bhusari S, Sankaran S, del Campo A. Regulating Bacterial Behavior within Hydrogels of Tunable Viscoelasticity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2106026. [PMID: 35404519 PMCID: PMC9189655 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202106026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Engineered living materials (ELMs) are a new class of materials in which living organism incorporated into diffusive matrices uptake a fundamental role in material's composition and function. Understanding how the spatial confinement in 3D can regulate the behavior of the embedded cells is crucial to design and predict ELM's function, minimize their environmental impact and facilitate their translation into applied materials. This study investigates the growth and metabolic activity of bacteria within an associative hydrogel network (Pluronic-based) with mechanical properties that can be tuned by introducing a variable degree of acrylate crosslinks. Individual bacteria distributed in the hydrogel matrix at low density form functional colonies whose size is controlled by the extent of permanent crosslinks. With increasing stiffness and elastic response to deformation of the matrix, a decrease in colony volumes and an increase in their sphericity are observed. Protein production follows a different pattern with higher production yields occurring in networks with intermediate permanent crosslinking degrees. These results demonstrate that matrix design can be used to control and regulate the composition and function of ELMs containing microorganisms. Interestingly, design parameters for matrices to regulate bacteria behavior show similarities to those elucidated for 3D culture of mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shardul Bhusari
- INM ‐ Leibniz Institute for New MaterialsCampus D2 266123SaarbrückenGermany
- Chemistry DepartmentSaarland University66123SaarbrückenGermany
| | | | - Aránzazu del Campo
- INM ‐ Leibniz Institute for New MaterialsCampus D2 266123SaarbrückenGermany
- Chemistry DepartmentSaarland University66123SaarbrückenGermany
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Bae SW, Kim J, Kwon S. Recent Advances in Polymer Additive Engineering for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Hydrogels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062955. [PMID: 35328375 PMCID: PMC8955662 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymer materials that provide a wide range of physicochemical properties as well as are highly biocompatible. Biomedical researchers are adapting these materials for the ever-increasing range of design options and potential applications in diagnostics and therapeutics. Along with innovative hydrogel polymer backbone developments, designing polymer additives for these backbones has been a major contributor to the field, especially for expanding the functionality spectrum of hydrogels. For the past decade, researchers invented numerous hydrogel functionalities that emerge from the rational incorporation of additives such as nucleic acids, proteins, cells, and inorganic nanomaterials. Cases of successful commercialization of such functional hydrogels are being reported, thus driving more translational research with hydrogels. Among the many hydrogels, here we reviewed recently reported functional hydrogels incorporated with polymer additives. We focused on those that have potential in translational medicine applications which range from diagnostic sensors as well as assay and drug screening to therapeutic actuators as well as drug delivery and implant. We discussed the growing trend of facile point-of-care diagnostics and integrated smart platforms. Additionally, special emphasis was given to emerging bioinformatics functionalities stemming from the information technology field, such as DNA data storage and anti-counterfeiting strategies. We anticipate that these translational purpose-driven polymer additive research studies will continue to advance the field of functional hydrogel engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Wook Bae
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Seoul National University, Daehak-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea;
| | - Jiyun Kim
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Korea
- Center for Multidimensional Programmable Matter, Ulsan 44919, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Sunghoon Kwon
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Daehak-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (S.K.)
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Abstract
Cell manipulation in droplets has emerged as one of the great successes of microfluidic technologies, with the development of single-cell screening. However, the droplet format has also served to go beyond single-cell studies, namely by considering the interactions between different cells or between cells and their physical or chemical environment. These studies pose specific challenges linked to the need for long-term culture of adherent cells or the diverse types of measurements associated with complex biological phenomena. Here we review the emergence of droplet microfluidic methods for culturing cells and studying their interactions. We begin by characterizing the quantitative aspects that determine the ability to encapsulate cells, transport molecules, and provide sufficient nutrients within the droplets. This is followed by an evaluation of the biological constraints such as the control of the biochemical environment and promoting the anchorage of adherent cells. This first part ends with a description of measurement methods that have been developed. The second part of the manuscript focuses on applications of these technologies for cancer studies, immunology, and stem cells while paying special attention to the biological relevance of the cellular assays and providing guidelines on improving this relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Sart
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gustave Ronteix
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Shreyansh Jain
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gabriel Amselem
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Charles N Baroud
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
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Rivera-Tarazona LK, Campbell ZT, Ware TH. Stimuli-responsive engineered living materials. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:785-809. [PMID: 33410841 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01905d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive materials are able to undergo controllable changes in materials properties in response to external cues. Increasing efforts have been directed towards building materials that mimic the responsive nature of biological systems. Nevertheless, limitations remain surrounding the way these synthetic materials interact and respond to their environment. In particular, it is difficult to synthesize synthetic materials that respond with specificity to poorly differentiated (bio)chemical and weak physical stimuli. The emerging area of engineered living materials (ELMs) includes composites that combine living cells and synthetic materials. ELMs have yielded promising advances in the creation of stimuli-responsive materials that respond with diverse outputs in response to a broad array of biochemical and physical stimuli. This review describes advances made in the genetic engineering of the living component and the processing-property relationships of stimuli-responsive ELMs. Finally, the implementation of stimuli-responsive ELMs as environmental sensors, biomedical sensors, drug delivery vehicles, and soft robots is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Rivera-Tarazona
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 101 Bizzell Street, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Ling SD, Geng Y, Chen A, Du Y, Xu J. Enhanced single-cell encapsulation in microfluidic devices: From droplet generation to single-cell analysis. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:061508. [PMID: 33381250 PMCID: PMC7758092 DOI: 10.1063/5.0018785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell analysis to investigate cellular heterogeneity and cell-to-cell interactions is a crucial compartment to answer key questions in important biological mechanisms. Droplet-based microfluidics appears to be the ideal platform for such a purpose because the compartmentalization of single cells into microdroplets offers unique advantages of enhancing assay sensitivity, protecting cells against external stresses, allowing versatile and precise manipulations over tested samples, and providing a stable microenvironment for long-term cell proliferation and observation. The present Review aims to give a preliminary guidance for researchers from different backgrounds to explore the field of single-cell encapsulation and analysis. A comprehensive and introductory overview of the droplet formation mechanism, fabrication methods of microchips, and a myriad of passive and active encapsulation techniques to enhance single-cell encapsulation efficiency were presented. Meanwhile, common methods for single-cell analysis, especially for long-term cell proliferation, differentiation, and observation inside microcapsules, are briefly introduced. Finally, the major challenges faced in the field are illustrated, and potential prospects for future work are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Da Ling
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yuhao Geng
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - An Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yanan Du
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jianhong Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Witte K, de Andrés MC, Wells J, Dalby MJ, Salmeron-Sanchez M, Oreffo ROC. Chondrobags: A high throughput alginate-fibronectin micromass platform for in vitro human cartilage formation. Biofabrication 2020; 12:045034. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/abb653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Ouyang L, Armstrong JPK, Chen Q, Lin Y, Stevens MM. Void-free 3D Bioprinting for In-situ Endothelialization and Microfluidic Perfusion. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2020; 30:1909009. [PMID: 35677899 PMCID: PMC7612826 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201909009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Two major challenges of 3D bioprinting are the retention of structural fidelity and efficient endothelialization for tissue vascularization. We address both of these issues by introducing a versatile 3D bioprinting strategy, in which a templating bioink is deposited layer-by-layer alongside a matrix bioink to establish void-free multimaterial structures. After crosslinking the matrix phase, the templating phase is sacrificed to create a well-defined 3D network of interconnected tubular channels. This void-free 3D printing (VF-3DP) approach circumvents the traditional concerns of structural collapse, deformation and oxygen inhibition, moreover, it can be readily used to print materials that are widely considered "unprintable". By pre-loading endothelial cells into the templating bioink, the inner surface of the channels can be efficiently cellularized with a confluent endothelial layer. This in-situ endothelialization method can be used to produce endothelium with a far greater uniformity than can be achieved using the conventional post-seeding approach. This VF-3DP approach can also be extended beyond tissue fabrication and towards customized hydrogel-based microfluidics and self-supported perfusable hydrogel constructs.
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Gaspar VM, Lavrador P, Borges J, Oliveira MB, Mano JF. Advanced Bottom-Up Engineering of Living Architectures. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1903975. [PMID: 31823448 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201903975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up tissue engineering is a promising approach for designing modular biomimetic structures that aim to recapitulate the intricate hierarchy and biofunctionality of native human tissues. In recent years, this field has seen exciting progress driven by an increasing knowledge of biological systems and their rational deconstruction into key core components. Relevant advances in the bottom-up assembly of unitary living blocks toward the creation of higher order bioarchitectures based on multicellular-rich structures or multicomponent cell-biomaterial synergies are described. An up-to-date critical overview of long-term existing and rapidly emerging technologies for integrative bottom-up tissue engineering is provided, including discussion of their practical challenges and required advances. It is envisioned that a combination of cell-biomaterial constructs with bioadaptable features and biospecific 3D designs will contribute to the development of more robust and functional humanized tissues for therapies and disease models, as well as tools for fundamental biological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vítor M Gaspar
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro Lavrador
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João Borges
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mariana B Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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