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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. [PMID: 39002162 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [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.
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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
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Philipp LA, Bühler K, Ulber R, Gescher J. Beneficial applications of biofilms. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:276-290. [PMID: 37957398 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Many microorganisms live in the form of a biofilm. Although they are feared in the medical sector, biofilms that are composed of non-pathogenic organisms can be highly beneficial in many applications, including the production of bulk and fine chemicals. Biofilm systems are natural retentostats in which the biocatalysts can adapt and optimize their metabolism to different conditions over time. The adherent nature of biofilms allows them to be used in continuous systems in which the hydraulic retention time is much shorter than the doubling time of the biocatalysts. Moreover, the resilience of organisms growing in biofilms, together with the potential of uncoupling growth from catalytic activity, offers a wide range of opportunities. The ability to work with continuous systems using a potentially self-advancing whole-cell biocatalyst is attracting interest from a range of disciplines, from applied microbiology to materials science and from bioengineering to process engineering. The field of beneficial biofilms is rapidly evolving, with an increasing number of applications being explored, and the surge in demand for sustainable and biobased solutions and processes is accelerating advances in the field. This Review provides an overview of the research topics, challenges, applications and future directions in beneficial and applied biofilm research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Alina Philipp
- Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katja Bühler
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Ulber
- RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany.
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Liu S, Yang M, Barton H, Xu W. Designed Microbial Biosynthesis of Hierarchical Bone-Mimetic Biocomposites in 3D-Printed Soft Bioreactors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:5513-5521. [PMID: 38261734 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The creation of 3D biomimetic composite structures has important applications in tissue engineering, lightweight structures, drug delivery, and sensing. Previous approaches in fabricating 3D biomimetic composites have relied on blending or assembling chemically synthesized molecules or structures, making it challenging to achieve precise control of the size, geometry, and internal structure of the biomimetic composites. Here, we present a new approach for the creation of 3D bone-mimetic biocomposites with precisely controlled shape, hierarchical structure, and functionalities. Our approach is based on the integration of programmable microbial biosynthesis with 3D printing of gas-permeable and customizable bioreactors. The organic and inorganic components are bacterial cellulose and calcium hydroxyapatite via a mineral precursor, which are generated by Komagataeibacter xylinus and Bacillus simplex P6A, respectively, in 3D-printed silicone bioreactors in consecutive culturing cycles. This study is of high significance to biocomposites, biofabrication, and tissue engineering as it paves the way for the synergistic integration of microbial biosynthesis and additive manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Liu
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Muxuan Yang
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Hazel Barton
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Weinan Xu
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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Haystead J, Gilmour K, Sherry A, Dade-Robertson M, Zhang M. Effect of (in)organic additives on microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxad309. [PMID: 38111211 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxad309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to understand the morphological effects of (in)organic additives on microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). METHODS AND RESULTS MICP was monitored in real time in the presence of (in)organic additives: bovine serum albumin (BSA), biofilm surface layer protein A (BslA), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and poly-l-lysine. This monitoring was carried out using confocal microscopy to observe the formation of CaCO3 from the point of nucleation, in comparison to conditions without additives. Complementary methodologies, namely scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, were employed to assess the visual morphology, elemental composition, and crystalline structures of CaCO3, respectively, following the crystals' formation. The results demonstrated that in the presence of additives, more CaCO3 crystals were produced at 100 min compared to the reaction without additives. The inclusion of BslA resulted in larger crystals than reactions containing other additives, including MgCl2. BSA induced a significant number of crystals from the early stages of the reaction (20 min) but did not have a substantial impact on crystal size compared to conditions without additives. All additives led to a higher content of calcite compared to vaterite after a 24-h reaction, with the exception of MgCl2, which produced a substantial quantity of magnesium calcite. CONCLUSIONS The work demonstrates the effect of several (in)organic additives on MICP and sets the stage for further research to understand additive effects on MICP to achieve controlled CaCO3 precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Haystead
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Gilmour
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Sherry
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, United Kingdom
| | - Martyn Dade-Robertson
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, The Quadrangle, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Northumbria University, NE1 8ST, United Kingdom
| | - Meng Zhang
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, United Kingdom
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Rana M, Ahmad R, Taylor AF. A microfluidic double emulsion platform for spatiotemporal control of pH and particle synthesis. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4504-4513. [PMID: 37766460 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00711a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The temporal control of pH in microreactors such as emulsion droplets plays a vital role in applications including biomineralisation and microparticle synthesis. Typically, pH changes are achieved either by passive diffusion of species into a droplet or by acid/base producing reactions. Here, we exploit an enzyme reaction combined with the properties of a water-oil-water (W/O/W) double emulsion to control the pH-time profile in the droplets. A microfluidic platform was used for production of ∼100-200 μm urease-encapsulated double emulsions with a tuneable mineral oil shell thickness of 10-40 μm. The reaction was initiated on-demand by addition of urea and a pulse in base (ammonia) up to pH 8 was observed in the droplets after a time lag of the order of minutes. The pH-time profile can be manipulated by the diffusion timescale of urea and ammonia through the oil layer, resulting in a steady state pH not observed in bulk reactive solutions. This approach may be used to regulate the formation of pH sensitive materials under mild conditions and, as a proof of concept, the reaction was coupled to calcium phosphate precipitation in the droplets. The oil shell thickness was varied to select for either brushite microplatelets or hydroxyapatite particles, compared to the mixture of different precipitates obtained in bulk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maheen Rana
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK.
| | - Raheel Ahmad
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02129, USA
| | - Annette F Taylor
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK.
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Sahadat Hossain M, Akter Jahan S, Ahmed S. Crystallographic characterization of bio-waste material originated CaCO3, green-synthesized CaO and Ca(OH)2. RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2023.100822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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