1
|
Lu C, Huang Y, Cui J, Wu J, Jiang C, Gu X, Cao Y, Yin S. Toward Practical Applications of Engineered Living Materials with Advanced Fabrication Techniques. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:2295-2312. [PMID: 39002162 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) are materials composed of or incorporating living cells as essential functional units. These materials can be created using bottom-up approaches, where engineered cells spontaneously form well-defined aggregates. Alternatively, top-down methods employ advanced materials science techniques to integrate cells with various kinds of materials, creating hybrids where cells and materials are intricately combined. ELMs blend synthetic biology with materials science, allowing for dynamic responses to environmental stimuli such as stress, pH, humidity, temperature, and light. These materials exhibit unique "living" properties, including self-healing, self-replication, and environmental adaptability, making them highly suitable for a wide range of applications in medicine, environmental conservation, and manufacturing. Their inherent biocompatibility and ability to undergo genetic modifications allow for customized functionalities and prolonged sustainability. This review highlights the transformative impact of ELMs over recent decades, particularly in healthcare and environmental protection. We discuss current preparation methods, including the use of endogenous and exogenous scaffolds, living assembly, 3D bioprinting, and electrospinning. Emphasis is placed on ongoing research and technological advancements necessary to enhance the safety, functionality, and practical applicability of ELMs in real-world contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenjing Lu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yaying Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jian Cui
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Junhua Wu
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan 250021, China
- Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Chunping Jiang
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan 250021, China
- Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiaosong Gu
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan 250021, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan 250021, China
- Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine innovation center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine innovation center, MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Sheng Yin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan 250021, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dranseike D, Cui Y, Ling AS, Donat F, Bernhard S, Bernero M, Areeckal A, Qin XH, Oakey JS, Dillenburger B, Studart AR, Tibbitt MW. Dual carbon sequestration with photosynthetic living materials. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.22.572991. [PMID: 38187760 PMCID: PMC10769394 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.572991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Natural ecosystems offer efficient pathways for carbon sequestration, serving as a resilient approach to remove CO2 from the atmosphere with minimal environmental impact. However, the control of living systems outside of their native environments is often challenging. Here, we engineered a photosynthetic living material for dual CO2 sequestration by immobilizing photosynthetic microorganisms within a printable polymeric network. The carbon concentrating mechanism of the cyanobacteria enabled accumulation of CO2 within the cell, resulting in biomass production. Additionally, the metabolic production of OH- ions in the surrounding medium created an environment for the formation of insoluble carbonates via microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). Digital design and fabrication of the living material ensured sufficient access to light and nutrient transport of the encapsulated cyanobacteria, which were essential for long-term viability (more than one year) as well as efficient photosynthesis and carbon sequestration. The photosynthetic living materials sequestered approximately 2.5 mg of CO2 per gram of hydrogel material over 30 days via dual carbon sequestration, with 2.2 ± 0.9 mg stored as insoluble carbonates. Over an extended incubation period of 400 days, the living materials sequestered 26 ± 7 mg of CO2 per gram of hydrogel material in the form of stable minerals. These findings highlight the potential of photosynthetic living materials for scalable carbon sequestration, carbon-neutral infrastructure, and green building materials. The simplicity of maintenance, coupled with its scalability nature, suggests broad applications of photosynthetic living materials as a complementary strategy to mitigate CO2 emissions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Dranseike
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - Yifan Cui
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - Andrea S. Ling
- Digital Building Technologies, Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - Felix Donat
- Laboratory of Energy Science and Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - Stéphane Bernhard
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - Margherita Bernero
- Institute for Biomechanics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - Akhil Areeckal
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - Xiao-Hua Qin
- Institute for Biomechanics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - John S. Oakey
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, US
| | | | - André R. Studart
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| | - Mark W. Tibbitt
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang S, Xia F, Demoustier-Champagne S, Jonas AM. Layer-by-layer assembly in nanochannels: assembly mechanism and applications. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:7471-7497. [PMID: 33870383 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr01113h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a versatile technology to construct multifunctional nanomaterials using various supporting substrates, enabled by the large selection freedom of building materials and diversity of possible driving forces. The fine regulation over the film thickness and structure provides an elegant way to tune the physical/chemical properties by mild assembly conditions (e.g. pH, ion strength). In this review, we focus on LbL in nanochannels, which exhibit a different growth mechanism compared to "open", convex substrates. The assembly mechanism in nanochannels is discussed in detail, followed by the summary of applications of LbL assemblies liberated from nanochannel templates which can be used as nanoreactors, drug carriers and transporting channels across cell membranes. For fluidic applications, robust membrane substrates are required to keep in place nanotube arrays for membrane-based separation, purification, biosensing and energy harvesting, which are also discussed. The good compatibility of LbL with crossover technologies from other fields allows researchers to further extend this technology to a broader range of research fields, which is expected to result in an increased number of applications of LbL technology in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shouwei Zhang
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, 430074 Wuhan, China
| | - Fan Xia
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, 430074 Wuhan, China
| | - Sophie Demoustier-Champagne
- Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences - Bio and Soft Matter (IMCN/BSMA), Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 1/L7.04.02, B1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Alain M Jonas
- Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences - Bio and Soft Matter (IMCN/BSMA), Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 1/L7.04.02, B1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
The field of nanomedicine has made substantial strides in the areas of therapeutic and diagnostic development. For example, nanoparticle-modified drug compounds and imaging agents have resulted in markedly enhanced treatment outcomes and contrast efficiency. In recent years, investigational nanomedicine platforms have also been taken into the clinic, with regulatory approval for Abraxane® and other products being awarded. As the nanomedicine field has continued to evolve, multifunctional approaches have been explored to simultaneously integrate therapeutic and diagnostic agents onto a single particle, or deliver multiple nanomedicine-functionalized therapies in unison. Similar to the objectives of conventional combination therapy, these strategies may further improve treatment outcomes through targeted, multi-agent delivery that preserves drug synergy. Also, similar to conventional/unmodified combination therapy, nanomedicine-based drug delivery is often explored at fixed doses. A persistent challenge in all forms of drug administration is that drug synergy is time-dependent, dose-dependent and patient-specific at any given point of treatment. To overcome this challenge, the evolution towards nanomedicine-mediated co-delivery of multiple therapies has made the potential of interfacing artificial intelligence (AI) with nanomedicine to sustain optimization in combinatorial nanotherapy a reality. Specifically, optimizing drug and dose parameters in combinatorial nanomedicine administration is a specific area where AI can actionably realize the full potential of nanomedicine. To this end, this review will examine the role that AI can have in substantially improving nanomedicine-based treatment outcomes, particularly in the context of combination nanotherapy for both N-of-1 and population-optimized treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dean Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, NUS Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lecommandoux S, Klok HA, Zhong Z, Deming TJ. Future Directions at the Frontier of Polymer Science and Biology. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:1-3. [PMID: 30990714 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b01785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Harm-Anton Klok
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Institut des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingeńierie Chimiques , Laboratoire des Polymères, Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Zhiyuan Zhong
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science , Soochow University , Suzhou 215123 , People's Republic of China
| | - Timothy J Deming
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Department of Bioengineering , University of California, Los Angeles , Los Angeles , California 90095 , United States
| |
Collapse
|