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Wang X, Zhang B, Zhang J, Jiang X, Liu K, Wang H, Yuan X, Xu H, Zheng Y, Ma G, Zhong C. Conformal and conductive biofilm-bridged artificial Z-scheme system for visible light-driven overall water splitting. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn6211. [PMID: 38865453 PMCID: PMC11168464 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Semi-artificial Z-scheme systems offer promising potential toward efficient solar-to-chemical conversion, yet sustainable and stable designs are currently lacking. Here, we developed a sustainable hybrid Z-scheme system capable for visible light-driven overall water splitting by integrating the durability of inorganic photocatalysts with the interfacial adhesion and regenerative property of bacterial biofilms. The Z-scheme configuration is fabricated by drop casting a mixture of photocatalysts onto a glass plate, followed by the growth of biofilms for conformal conductive paste through oxidative polymerization of pyrrole molecules. Notably, the system exhibited scalability indicated by consistent catalytic efficiency across various sheet areas, resistance observed by remarkable maintaining of photocatalytic efficiency across a range of background pressures, and high stability as evidenced by minimal decay of photocatalytic efficiency after 100-hour reaction. Our work thus provides a promising avenue toward sustainable and high-efficiency artificial photosynthesis, contributing to the broader goal of sustainable energy solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Boyang Zhang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jicong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaoyu Jiang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Kaiwei Liu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Haifeng Wang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xinyi Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haiyi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yijun Zheng
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Guijun Ma
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Chao Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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2
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Cai A, Abdali Z, Saldanha DJ, Aminzare M, Dorval Courchesne NM. Endowing textiles with self-repairing ability through the fabrication of composites with a bacterial biofilm. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11389. [PMID: 37452128 PMCID: PMC10349112 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38501-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
To address the increasing environmental footprint of the fast-growing textile industry, self-repairing textile composites have been developed to allow torn or damaged textiles to restore their morphological, mechanical, and functional features. A sustainable way to create these textile composites is to introduce a coating material that is biologically derived, biodegradable, and can be produced through scalable processes. Here, we fabricated self-repairing textile composites by integrating the biofilms of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria into conventional knitted textiles. The major structural protein component in E. coli biofilm is a matrix of curli fibers, which has demonstrated extraordinary abilities to self-assemble into mechanically strong macroscopic structures and self-heal upon contact with water. We demonstrated the integration of biofilm through three simple, fast, and scalable methods: adsorption, doctor blading, and vacuum filtration. We confirmed that the composites were breathable and mechanically strong after the integration, with improved Young's moduli or elongation at break depending on the fabrication method used. Through patching and welding, we showed that after rehydration, the composites made with all three methods effectively healed centimeter-scale defects. Upon observing that the biofilm strongly attached to the textiles by covering the extruding textile fibers from the self-repair failures, we proposed that the strength of the self-repairs relied on both the biofilm's cohesion and the biofilm-textile adhesion. Considering that curli fibers are genetically-tunable, the fabrication of self-repairing curli-expressing biofilm-textile composites opens new venues for industrially manufacturing affordable, durable, and sustainable functional textiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Cai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Zahra Abdali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Dalia Jane Saldanha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Masoud Aminzare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada
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3
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Saldanha DJ, Cai A, Dorval Courchesne NM. The Evolving Role of Proteins in Wearable Sweat Biosensors. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:2020-2047. [PMID: 34491052 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sweat is an increasingly popular biological medium for fitness monitoring and clinical diagnostics. It contains an abundance of biological information and is available continuously and noninvasively. Sweat-sensing devices often employ proteins in various capacities to create skin-friendly matrices that accurately extract valuable and time-sensitive information from sweat. Proteins were first used in sensors as biorecognition elements in the form of enzymes and antibodies, which are now being tuned to operate at ranges relevant for sweat. In addition, a range of structural proteins, sometimes assembled in conjunction with polymers, can provide flexible and compatible matrices for skin sensors. Other proteins also naturally possess a range of functionalities─as adhesives, charge conductors, fluorescence emitters, and power generators─that can make them useful components in wearable devices. Here, we examine the four main components of wearable sweat sensors─the biorecognition element, the transducer, the scaffold, and the adhesive─and the roles that proteins have played so far, or promise to play in the future, in each component. On a case-by-case basis, we analyze the performance characteristics of existing protein-based devices, their applicable ranges of detection, their transduction mechanism and their mechanical properties. Thereby, we review and compare proteins that can readily be used in sweat sensors and others that will require further efforts to overcome design, stability or scalability challenges. Incorporating proteins in one or multiple components of sweat sensors could lead to the development and deployment of tunable, greener, and safer biosourced devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Jane Saldanha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 0C5
| | - Anqi Cai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 0C5
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4
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An B, Wang Y, Huang Y, Wang X, Liu Y, Xun D, Church GM, Dai Z, Yi X, Tang TC, Zhong C. Engineered Living Materials For Sustainability. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2349-2419. [PMID: 36512650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in synthetic biology and materials science have given rise to a new form of materials, namely engineered living materials (ELMs), which are composed of living matter or cell communities embedded in self-regenerating matrices of their own or artificial scaffolds. Like natural materials such as bone, wood, and skin, ELMs, which possess the functional capabilities of living organisms, can grow, self-organize, and self-repair when needed. They also spontaneously perform programmed biological functions upon sensing external cues. Currently, ELMs show promise for green energy production, bioremediation, disease treatment, and fabricating advanced smart materials. This review first introduces the dynamic features of natural living systems and their potential for developing novel materials. We then summarize the recent research progress on living materials and emerging design strategies from both synthetic biology and materials science perspectives. Finally, we discuss the positive impacts of living materials on promoting sustainability and key future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin An
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yanyi Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuzhu Liu
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongmin Xun
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - George M Church
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States
| | - Zhuojun Dai
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiao Yi
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tzu-Chieh Tang
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States.,Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, Massachusetts United States
| | - Chao Zhong
- Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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5
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Luo J, Chen J, Huang Y, You L, Dai Z. Engineering living materials by synthetic biology. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011305. [PMID: 38505813 PMCID: PMC10903423 DOI: 10.1063/5.0115645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Natural biological materials are programmed by genetic information and able to self-organize, respond to environmental stimulus, and couple with inorganic matter. Inspired by the natural system and to mimic their complex and delicate fabrication process and functions, the field of engineered living materials emerges at the interface of synthetic biology and materials science. Here, we review the recent efforts and discuss the challenges and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiren Luo
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiangfeng Chen
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yaoge Huang
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lingchong You
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708, USA
| | - Zhuojun Dai
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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6
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Atkinson JT, Chavez MS, Niman CM, El-Naggar MY. Living electronics: A catalogue of engineered living electronic components. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:507-533. [PMID: 36519191 PMCID: PMC9948233 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Biology leverages a range of electrical phenomena to extract and store energy, control molecular reactions and enable multicellular communication. Microbes, in particular, have evolved genetically encoded machinery enabling them to utilize the abundant redox-active molecules and minerals available on Earth, which in turn drive global-scale biogeochemical cycles. Recently, the microbial machinery enabling these redox reactions have been leveraged for interfacing cells and biomolecules with electrical circuits for biotechnological applications. Synthetic biology is allowing for the use of these machinery as components of engineered living materials with tuneable electrical properties. Herein, we review the state of such living electronic components including wires, capacitors, transistors, diodes, optoelectronic components, spin filters, sensors, logic processors, bioactuators, information storage media and methods for assembling these components into living electronic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua T Atkinson
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Marko S Chavez
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christina M Niman
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mohamed Y El-Naggar
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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7
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Huyer C, Modafferi D, Aminzare M, Ferraro J, Abdali Z, Roy S, Saldanha DJ, Wasim S, Alberti J, Feng S, Cicoira F, Dorval Courchesne NM. Fabrication of Curli Fiber-PEDOT:PSS Biomaterials with Tunable Self-Healing, Mechanical, and Electrical Properties. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 9:2156-2169. [PMID: 35687654 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a highly conductive, easily processable, self-healing polymer. It has been shown to be useful in bioelectronic applications, for instance, as a biointerfacing layer for studying brain activity, in biosensitive transistors, and in wearable biosensors. A green and biofriendly method for improving the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and stability of PEDOT:PSS involves mixing the polymer with a biopolymer. Via structural changes and interactions with PEDOT:PSS, biopolymers have the potential to improve the self-healing ability, flexibility, and electrical conductivity of the composite. In this work, we fabricated novel protein-polymer multifunctional composites by mixing PEDOT:PSS with genetically programmable amyloid curli fibers produced byEscherichia coli bacteria. Curli fibers are among the stiffest protein polymers and, once isolated from bacterial biofilms, can form plastic-like thin films that heal with the addition of water. Curli-PEDOT:PSS composites containing 60% curli fibers exhibited a conductivity 4.5-fold higher than that of pristine PEDOT:PSS. The curli fibers imbued the biocomposites with an immediate water-induced self-healing ability. Further, the addition of curli fibers lowered the Young's and shear moduli of the composites, improving their compatibility for tissue-interfacing applications. Lastly, we showed that genetically engineered fluorescent curli fibers retained their ability to fluoresce within curli-PEDOT:PSS composites. Curli fibers thus allow to modulate a range of properties in conductive PEDOT:PSS composites, broadening the applications of this polymer in biointerfaces and bioelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrina Huyer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Daniel Modafferi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Masoud Aminzare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Juliana Ferraro
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Zahra Abdali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Sophia Roy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Dalia Jane Saldanha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Saadia Wasim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Johan Alberti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Shurui Feng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Fabio Cicoira
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
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8
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Lovley DR. On the Existence of Pilin-Based Microbial Nanowires. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:872610. [PMID: 35733974 PMCID: PMC9207759 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.872610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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9
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Tan X, Nielsen J. The integration of bio-catalysis and electrocatalysis to produce fuels and chemicals from carbon dioxide. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:4763-4785. [PMID: 35584360 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00309k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The dependence on fossil fuels has caused excessive emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), leading to climate changes and global warming. Even though the expansion of electricity generation will enable a wider use of electric vehicles, biotechnology represents an attractive route for producing high-density liquid transportation fuels that can reduce GHG emissions from jets, long-haul trucks and ships. Furthermore, to achieve immediate alleviation of the current environmental situation, besides reducing carbon footprint it is urgent to develop technologies that transform atmospheric CO2 into fossil fuel replacements. The integration of bio-catalysis and electrocatalysis (bio-electrocatalysis) provides such a promising avenue to convert CO2 into fuels and chemicals with high-chain lengths. Following an overview of different mechanisms that can be used for CO2 fixation, we will discuss crucial factors for electrocatalysis with a special highlight on the improvement of electron-transfer kinetics, multi-dimensional electrocatalysts and their hybrids, electrolyser configurations, and the integration of electrocatalysis and bio-catalysis. Finally, we prospect key advantages and challenges of bio-electrocatalysis, and end with a discussion of future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Tan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE41296 Gothenburg, Sweden. .,BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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10
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Shapiro DM, Mandava G, Yalcin SE, Arranz-Gibert P, Dahl PJ, Shipps C, Gu Y, Srikanth V, Salazar-Morales AI, O'Brien JP, Vanderschuren K, Vu D, Batista VS, Malvankar NS, Isaacs FJ. Protein nanowires with tunable functionality and programmable self-assembly using sequence-controlled synthesis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:829. [PMID: 35149672 PMCID: PMC8837800 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28206-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology permit the genetic encoding of synthetic chemistries at monomeric precision, enabling the synthesis of programmable proteins with tunable properties. Bacterial pili serve as an attractive biomaterial for the development of engineered protein materials due to their ability to self-assemble into mechanically robust filaments. However, most biomaterials lack electronic functionality and atomic structures of putative conductive proteins are not known. Here, we engineer high electronic conductivity in pili produced by a genomically-recoded E. coli strain. Incorporation of tryptophan into pili increased conductivity of individual filaments >80-fold. Computationally-guided ordering of the pili into nanostructures increased conductivity 5-fold compared to unordered pili networks. Site-specific conjugation of pili with gold nanoparticles, facilitated by incorporating the nonstandard amino acid propargyloxy-phenylalanine, increased filament conductivity ~170-fold. This work demonstrates the sequence-defined production of highly-conductive protein nanowires and hybrid organic-inorganic biomaterials with genetically-programmable electronic functionalities not accessible in nature or through chemical-based synthesis. Bacterial hairs called pili become highly-conductive electric wires upon addition of both natural and synthetic amino acids conjugated with gold nanoparticles. Here the authors use computationally-guided ordering further increasing their conductivity, thus yielding genetically-programmable materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mark Shapiro
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Gunasheil Mandava
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Sibel Ebru Yalcin
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Pol Arranz-Gibert
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Peter J Dahl
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Catharine Shipps
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Yangqi Gu
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Vishok Srikanth
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Aldo I Salazar-Morales
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - J Patrick O'Brien
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Koen Vanderschuren
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Dennis Vu
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Victor S Batista
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Nikhil S Malvankar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. .,Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.
| | - Farren J Isaacs
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. .,Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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11
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Li Z, Wang X, Wang J, Yuan X, Jiang X, Wang Y, Zhong C, Xu D, Gu T, Wang F. Bacterial biofilms as platforms engineered for diverse applications. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 57:107932. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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12
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Kang SY, Pokhrel A, Bratsch S, Benson JJ, Seo SO, Quin MB, Aksan A, Schmidt-Dannert C. Engineering Bacillus subtilis for the formation of a durable living biocomposite material. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7133. [PMID: 34880257 PMCID: PMC8654922 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27467-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineered living materials (ELMs) are a fast-growing area of research that combine approaches in synthetic biology and material science. Here, we engineer B. subtilis to become a living component of a silica material composed of self-assembling protein scaffolds for functionalization and cross-linking of cells. B. subtilis is engineered to display SpyTags on polar flagella for cell attachment to SpyCatcher modified secreted scaffolds. We engineer endospore limited B. subtilis cells to become a structural component of the material with spores for long-term storage of genetic programming. Silica biomineralization peptides are screened and scaffolds designed for silica polymerization to fabricate biocomposite materials with enhanced mechanical properties. We show that the resulting ELM can be regenerated from a piece of cell containing silica material and that new functions can be incorporated by co-cultivation of engineered B. subtilis strains. We believe that this work will serve as a framework for the future design of resilient ELMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Young Kang
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA ,grid.17635.360000000419368657BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
| | - Anaya Pokhrel
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA ,grid.17635.360000000419368657BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
| | - Sara Bratsch
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA ,grid.17635.360000000419368657BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
| | - Joey J. Benson
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Seung-Oh Seo
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA ,grid.17635.360000000419368657BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
| | - Maureen B. Quin
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA ,grid.17635.360000000419368657BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
| | - Alptekin Aksan
- grid.17635.360000000419368657BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA ,grid.17635.360000000419368657Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Claudia Schmidt-Dannert
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. .,BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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13
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Amyloids as Building Blocks for Macroscopic Functional Materials: Designs, Applications and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910698. [PMID: 34639037 PMCID: PMC8508955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloids are self-assembled protein aggregates that take cross-β fibrillar morphology. Although some amyloid proteins are best known for their association with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, many other amyloids are found across diverse organisms, from bacteria to humans, and they play vital functional roles. The rigidity, chemical stability, high aspect ratio, and sequence programmability of amyloid fibrils have made them attractive candidates for functional materials with applications in environmental sciences, material engineering, and translational medicines. This review focuses on recent advances in fabricating various types of macroscopic functional amyloid materials. We discuss different design strategies for the fabrication of amyloid hydrogels, high-strength materials, composite materials, responsive materials, extracellular matrix mimics, conductive materials, and catalytic materials.
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14
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Nandi R, Agam Y, Amdursky N. A Protein-Based Free-Standing Proton-Conducting Transparent Elastomer for Large-Scale Sensing Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2101208. [PMID: 34219263 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202101208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A most important endeavor in modern materials' research is the current shift toward green environmental and sustainable materials. Natural resources are one of the attractive building blocks for making environmentally friendly materials. In most cases, however, the performance of nature-derived materials is inferior to the performance of carefully designed synthetic materials. This is especially true for conductive polymers, which is the topic here. Inspired by the natural role of proteins in mediating protons, their utilization in the creation of a free-standing transparent polymer with a highly elastic nature and proton conductivity comparable to that of synthetic polymers, is demonstrated. Importantly, the polymerization process relies on natural protein crosslinkers and is spontaneous and energy-efficient. The protein used, bovine serum albumin, is one of the most affordable proteins, resulting in the ability to create large-scale materials at a low cost. Due to the inherent biodegradability and biocompatibility of the elastomer, it is promising for biomedical applications. Here, its immediate utilization as a solid-state interface for sensing of electrophysiological signals, is shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Nandi
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Yuval Agam
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Nadav Amdursky
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
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15
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Burgos-Morales O, Gueye M, Lacombe L, Nowak C, Schmachtenberg R, Hörner M, Jerez-Longres C, Mohsenin H, Wagner H, Weber W. Synthetic biology as driver for the biologization of materials sciences. Mater Today Bio 2021; 11:100115. [PMID: 34195591 PMCID: PMC8237365 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Materials in nature have fascinating properties that serve as a continuous source of inspiration for materials scientists. Accordingly, bio-mimetic and bio-inspired approaches have yielded remarkable structural and functional materials for a plethora of applications. Despite these advances, many properties of natural materials remain challenging or yet impossible to incorporate into synthetic materials. Natural materials are produced by living cells, which sense and process environmental cues and conditions by means of signaling and genetic programs, thereby controlling the biosynthesis, remodeling, functionalization, or degradation of the natural material. In this context, synthetic biology offers unique opportunities in materials sciences by providing direct access to the rational engineering of how a cell senses and processes environmental information and translates them into the properties and functions of materials. Here, we identify and review two main directions by which synthetic biology can be harnessed to provide new impulses for the biologization of the materials sciences: first, the engineering of cells to produce precursors for the subsequent synthesis of materials. This includes materials that are otherwise produced from petrochemical resources, but also materials where the bio-produced substances contribute unique properties and functions not existing in traditional materials. Second, engineered living materials that are formed or assembled by cells or in which cells contribute specific functions while remaining an integral part of the living composite material. We finally provide a perspective of future scientific directions of this promising area of research and discuss science policy that would be required to support research and development in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Burgos-Morales
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - M. Gueye
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
| | - L. Lacombe
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
| | - C. Nowak
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - R. Schmachtenberg
- École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg - ESBS, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67412, France
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - M. Hörner
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - C. Jerez-Longres
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine - SGBM, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - H. Mohsenin
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - H.J. Wagner
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering - D-BSSE, ETH Zurich, Basel, 4058, Switzerland
| | - W. Weber
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine - SGBM, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
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16
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Manjula-Basavanna A, Duraj-Thatte AM, Joshi NS. Robust Self-Regeneratable Stiff Living Materials Fabricated from Microbial Cells. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2010784. [PMID: 33994904 PMCID: PMC8115200 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202010784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Living systems have not only the exemplary capability to fabricate materials (e.g. wood, bone) under ambient conditions but they also consist of living cells that imbue them with properties like growth and self-regeneration. Like a seed that can grow into a sturdy living wood, we wondered: can living cells alone serve as the primary building block to fabricate stiff materials? Here we report the fabrication of stiff living materials (SLMs) produced entirely from microbial cells, without the incorporation of any structural biopolymers (e.g. cellulose, chitin, collagen) or biominerals (e.g. hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate) that are known to impart stiffness to biological materials. Remarkably, SLMs are also lightweight, strong, resistant to organic solvents and can self-regenerate. This living materials technology can serve as a powerful biomanufacturing platform to design and develop advanced structural and cellular materials in a sustainable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna M Duraj-Thatte
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Neel S Joshi
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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17
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Intrinsic electronic conductivity of individual atomically resolved amyloid crystals reveals micrometer-long hole hopping via tyrosines. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2014139118. [PMID: 33372136 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2014139118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are commonly known to transfer electrons over distances limited to a few nanometers. However, many biological processes require electron transport over far longer distances. For example, soil and sediment bacteria transport electrons, over hundreds of micrometers to even centimeters, via putative filamentous proteins rich in aromatic residues. However, measurements of true protein conductivity have been hampered by artifacts due to large contact resistances between proteins and electrodes. Using individual amyloid protein crystals with atomic-resolution structures as a model system, we perform contact-free measurements of intrinsic electronic conductivity using a four-electrode approach. We find hole transport through micrometer-long stacked tyrosines at physiologically relevant potentials. Notably, the transport rate through tyrosines (105 s-1) is comparable to cytochromes. Our studies therefore show that amyloid proteins can efficiently transport charges, under ordinary thermal conditions, without any need for redox-active metal cofactors, large driving force, or photosensitizers to generate a high oxidation state for charge injection. By measuring conductivity as a function of molecular length, voltage, and temperature, while eliminating the dominant contribution of contact resistances, we show that a multistep hopping mechanism (composed of multiple tunneling steps), not single-step tunneling, explains the measured conductivity. Combined experimental and computational studies reveal that proton-coupled electron transfer confers conductivity; both the energetics of the proton acceptor, a neighboring glutamine, and its proximity to tyrosine influence the hole transport rate through a proton rocking mechanism. Surprisingly, conductivity increases 200-fold upon cooling due to higher availability of the proton acceptor by increased hydrogen bonding.
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18
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Decante G, Costa JB, Silva-Correia J, Collins MN, Reis RL, Oliveira JM. Engineering bioinks for 3D bioprinting. Biofabrication 2021; 13. [PMID: 33662949 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/abec2c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has attracted wide research interest in biomedical engineering and clinical applications. This technology allows for unparalleled architecture control, adaptability and repeatability that can overcome the limits of conventional biofabrication techniques. Along with the emergence of a variety of 3D bioprinting methods, bioinks have also come a long way. From their first developments to support bioprinting requirements, they are now engineered to specific injury sites requirements to mimic native tissue characteristics and to support biofunctionality. Current strategies involve the use of bioinks loaded with cells and biomolecules of interest, without altering their functions, to deliverin situthe elements required to enhance healing/regeneration. The current research and trends in bioink development for 3D bioprinting purposes is overviewed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Decante
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João B Costa
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Silva-Correia
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maurice N Collins
- Bernal Institute, School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - J Miguel Oliveira
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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19
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Abdali Z, Aminzare M, Zhu X, DeBenedictis E, Xie O, Keten S, Dorval Courchesne NM. Curli-Mediated Self-Assembly of a Fibrous Protein Scaffold for Hydroxyapatite Mineralization. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:3334-3343. [PMID: 33237760 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructures formed by self-assembled peptides have been increasingly exploited as functional materials for a wide variety of applications, from biotechnology to energy. However, it is sometimes challenging to assemble free short peptides into functional supramolecular structures, since not all peptides have the ability to self-assemble. Here, we report a self-assembly mechanism for short functional peptides that we derived from a class of fiber-forming amyloid proteins called curli. CsgA, the major subunit of curli fibers, is a self-assembling β-helical subunit composed of five pseudorepeats (R1-R5). We first deleted the internal repeats (R2, R3, R4), known to be less essential for the aggregation of CsgA monomers into fibers, forming a truncated CsgA variant (R1/R5). As a proof-of-concept to introduce functionality in the fibers, we then genetically substituted the internal repeats by a hydroxyapatite (HAP)-binding peptide, resulting in a R1/HAP/R5 construct. Our method thus utilizes the R1/R5-driven self-assembly mechanism to assemble the HAP-binding peptide and form hydrogel-like materials in macroscopic quantities suitable for biomineralization. We confirmed the expression and fibrillar morphology of the truncated and HAP-containing curli-like amyloid fibers. X-ray diffraction and TEM showed the functionality of the HAP-binding peptide for mineralization and formation of nanocrystalline HAP. Overall, we show that fusion to the R1 and R5 repeats of CsgA enables the self-assembly of functional peptides into micron long fibers. Further, the mineral-templating ability that the R1/HAP/R5 fibers possesses opens up broader applications for curli proteins in the tissue engineering and biomaterials fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abdali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Masoud Aminzare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Xiaodan Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Elizabeth DeBenedictis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States of America
| | - Oliver Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Sinan Keten
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States of America
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20
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Srubar WV. Engineered Living Materials: Taxonomies and Emerging Trends. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 39:574-583. [PMID: 33234328 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
At the intersection of synthetic biology and materials science, the field of engineered living materials (ELMs) has evolved into a new, standalone discipline. The fusion of bioengineering's design-build-test-learn approaches with classical materials science has yielded breakthrough innovations in the synthesis of complex, biologically active materials for functional applications in therapeutics, electronics, construction, and beyond. However, the transdisciplinary nature of the ELM field - and its rapid growth - has made holistic comprehension of achievements related to the tools, techniques, and applications of ELMs difficult across disciplines. To this end, this review proposes an emergent taxonomy of ELM research and uses the categorization to discuss current trends and state-of-the-art advancements, significant opportunities, and imminent challenges for scientists and engineers in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wil V Srubar
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
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21
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Roy S, Xie O, Dorval Courchesne N. Challenges in engineering conductive protein fibres: Disentangling the knowledge. CAN J CHEM ENG 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cjce.23836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Roy
- Department of Chemical Engineering McGill University Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Oliver Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering McGill University Montréal Québec Canada
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22
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DeBenedictis EP, Zhang Y, Keten S. Structure and Mechanics of Bundled Semiflexible Polymer Networks. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth P. DeBenedictis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Sinan Keten
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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23
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Abstract
Amyloids are protein polymers that were initially linked to human diseases. Across the whole Tree of Life, many disease-unrelated proteins are now emerging for which amyloids represent distinct functional states. Most bacterial amyloids described are extracellular, contributing to biofilm formation. However, only a few have been found in the bacterial cytosol. This paper reviews from the perspective of synthetic biology (SynBio) our understanding of the subtle line that separates functional from pathogenic and transmissible amyloids (prions). Amyloids are protein polymers that were initially linked to human diseases. Across the whole Tree of Life, many disease-unrelated proteins are now emerging for which amyloids represent distinct functional states. Most bacterial amyloids described are extracellular, contributing to biofilm formation. However, only a few have been found in the bacterial cytosol. This paper reviews from the perspective of synthetic biology (SynBio) our understanding of the subtle line that separates functional from pathogenic and transmissible amyloids (prions). In particular, it is focused on RepA-WH1, a functional albeit unconventional natural amyloidogenic protein domain that participates in controlling DNA replication of bacterial plasmids. SynBio approaches, including protein engineering and the design of allosteric effectors such as diverse ligands and an optogenetic module, have enabled the generation in RepA-WH1 of an intracellular cytotoxic prion-like agent in bacteria. The synthetic RepA-WH1 prion has the potential to develop into novel antimicrobials.
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24
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Graham AJ, Dundas CM, Hillsley A, Kasprak DS, Rosales AM, Keitz BK. Genetic Control of Radical Cross-linking in a Semisynthetic Hydrogel. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:1375-1386. [PMID: 33313392 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Enhancing materials with the qualities of living systems, including sensing, computation, and adaptation, is an important challenge in designing next-generation technologies. Living materials address this challenge by incorporating live cells as actuating components that control material function. For abiotic materials, this requires new methods that couple genetic and metabolic processes to material properties. Toward this goal, we demonstrate that extracellular electron transfer (EET) from Shewanella oneidensis can be leveraged to control radical cross-linking of a methacrylate-functionalized hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Cross-linking rates and hydrogel mechanics, specifically storage modulus, were dependent on various chemical and biological factors, including S. oneidensis genotype. Bacteria remained viable and metabolically active in the networks for a least 1 week, while cell tracking revealed that EET genes also encode control over hydrogel microstructure. Moreover, construction of an inducible gene circuit allowed transcriptional control of storage modulus and cross-linking rate via the tailored expression of a key electron transfer protein, MtrC. Finally, we quantitatively modeled hydrogel stiffness as a function of steady-state mtrC expression and generalized this result by demonstrating the strong relationship between relative gene expression and material properties. This general mechanism for radical cross-linking provides a foundation for programming the form and function of synthetic materials through genetic control over extracellular electron transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin J Graham
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Christopher M Dundas
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Alexander Hillsley
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Dain S Kasprak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Adrianne M Rosales
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Benjamin K Keitz
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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25
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Kalyoncu E, Ahan RE, Ozcelik CE, Seker UOS. Genetic Logic Gates Enable Patterning of Amyloid Nanofibers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1902888. [PMID: 31402516 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201902888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Distinct spatial patterning of naturally produced materials is observed in many cellular structures and even among communities of microorganisms. Reoccurrence of spatially organized materials in all branches of life is clear proof that organization is beneficial for survival. Indeed, organisms can trick the evolutionary process by using organized materials in ways that can help the organism to avoid unexpected conditions. To expand the toolbox for synthesizing patterned living materials, Boolean type "AND" and "OR" control of curli fibers expression is demonstrated using recombinases. Logic gates are designed to activate the production of curli fibers. The gates can be used to record the presence of input molecules and give output as CsgA expression. Two different curli fibers (CsgA and CsgA-His-tag) production are then selectively activated to explore distribution of monomers upon coexpression. To keep track of the composition of fibers, CsgA-His-tag proteins are labeled with nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA-) conjugated gold nanoparticles. It is observed that an organized living material can be obtained upon inducing the coexpression of different CsgA fibers. It is foreseen that living materials with user-defined curli composition hold great potential for the development of living materials for many biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebuzer Kalyoncu
- UNAM - National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
| | - Recep Erdem Ahan
- UNAM - National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
| | - Cemile Elif Ozcelik
- UNAM - National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
| | - Urartu Ozgur Safak Seker
- UNAM - National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
- Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Bilkent University, Ankara, 06800, Turkey
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Kan A, Birnbaum DP, Praveschotinunt P, Joshi NS. Congo Red Fluorescence for Rapid In Situ Characterization of Synthetic Curli Systems. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:e00434-19. [PMID: 31003987 PMCID: PMC6581178 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00434-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Curli are amyloid proteins that are assembled into extracellular polymeric fibers by bacteria during biofilm formation. The beta-sheet-rich protein CsgA, the primary structural component of the fibers, is secreted through dedicated machinery and self-assembles into cell-anchored fibers many times longer than the cell. Here, we have developed an in situ fluorescence assay for curli production that exploits the fluorescent properties of Congo red (CR) dye when bound to amyloid, allowing for rapid and robust curli quantification. We initially evaluated three amyloid-binding dyes for the fluorescent detection of curli in bacterial culture and found only Congo red compatible with in situ quantification. We further characterized the fluorescent properties of the dye directly in bacterial culture and calibrated the fluorescence using purified CsgA protein. We then used the Congo red assay to rapidly develop and characterize inducible curli-producing constructs in both an MC4100-derived lab strain of Escherichia coli and a derivative of the probiotic strain E. coli Nissle. This technique can be used to evaluate curli production in a minimally invasive manner using a range of equipment, simplifying curli quantification and the development of novel engineered curli systems.IMPORTANCE Curli are proteins produced by many bacteria as a structural component of biofilms, and they have recently emerged as a platform for fabrication of biological materials. Curli fibers are very robust and resistant to degradation, and the curli subunits can tolerate many protein fusions, facilitating the biosynthesis of novel functional materials. A serious bottleneck in the development of more sophisticated engineered curli systems is the rapid quantification of curli production by the bacteria. In this work we address this issue by developing a technique to monitor curli production directly in bacterial cultures, allowing for rapid curli quantification in a manner compatible with many powerful high-throughput techniques that can be used to engineer complex biological material systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Kan
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel P Birnbaum
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pichet Praveschotinunt
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Neel S Joshi
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Zhang Y, DeBenedictis EP, Keten S. Cohesive and adhesive properties of crosslinked semiflexible biopolymer networks. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:3807-3816. [PMID: 30993297 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm02277a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Biomolecular semiflexible polymer networks with persistence lengths well above those of single polymeric chains serve important structural and adhesive roles in biology, biomaterials, food science and many other fields. While relationships between the structure and viscoelasticity of semiflexible polymer networks have been previously investigated, it remains challenging to systematically relate fibril and network properties to cohesive and adhesive properties that govern the function of these materials. To address this issue, here we utilize coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to thoroughly elucidate how the work of adhesion of a semiflexible polymer network to a surface depends on crosslink density and fibril persistence length. Two emergent characteristics of the network are its elasticity and its interfacial energy with the surface. Stiff networks that are either highly crosslinked or have high persistence length fibrils tend to have lower interfacial energy, and consequently, lower work of adhesion. For lightly crosslinked networks with flexible fibrils, considerable strain energy must be stored within the adhesive during detachment, which creates an additional penalty to detachment. Increasing persistence length while keeping crosslink density constant leads to porous, low density networks, leading to an optimal fibril persistence length at which maximum work of adhesion per mass density is attained for a given crosslink density. For any given fibril persistence length, increasing crosslink density has a slightly negative effect on network mass density and interfacial energy. A critical crosslink density is found, below which the networks have no significant load-bearing capacity. Lightly crosslinked networks above this threshold absorb more strain energy during desorption and consequently possess greater work of adhesion. The conflict between mass density and stiffness results in a non-monotonic trend between the ratio of work of adhesion to interfacial energy and persistence length. These findings provide physical insight into the adhesive mechanisms of biomaterials based on crosslinked semiflexible polymer networks, and reveal important design guidelines for bio-adhesives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
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Abstract
Microbially produced electrically conductive protein filaments are a revolutionary, sustainably produced, electronic material with broad potential applications. The design of new protein nanowires based on the known M. hungatei archaellum structure could be a major advance over the current empirical design of synthetic protein nanowires from electrically conductive bacterial pili. An understanding of the diversity of outer-surface protein structures capable of electron transfer is important for developing models for microbial electrical communication with other cells and minerals in natural anaerobic environments. Extracellular electron exchange is also essential in engineered environments such as bioelectrochemical devices and anaerobic digesters converting wastes to methane. The finding that the archaellum of M. hungatei is electrically conductive suggests that some archaea might be able to make long-range electrical connections with their external environment. Microbially produced electrically conductive protein filaments are of interest because they can function as conduits for long-range biological electron transfer. They also show promise as sustainably produced electronic materials. Until now, microbially produced conductive protein filaments have been reported only for bacteria. We report here that the archaellum of Methanospirillum hungatei is electrically conductive. This is the first demonstration that electrically conductive protein filaments have evolved in Archaea. Furthermore, the structure of the M. hungatei archaellum was previously determined (N. Poweleit, P. Ge, H. N. Nguyen, R. R. O. Loo, et al., Nat Microbiol 2:16222, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.222). Thus, the archaellum of M. hungatei is the first microbially produced electrically conductive protein filament for which a structure is known. We analyzed the previously published structure and identified a core of tightly packed phenylalanines that is one likely route for electron conductance. The availability of the M. hungatei archaellum structure is expected to substantially advance mechanistic evaluation of long-range electron transport in microbially produced electrically conductive filaments and to aid in the design of “green” electronic materials that can be microbially produced with renewable feedstocks.
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