1
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Liu S, Yang M, Smarr C, Zhang G, Barton H, Xu W. Engineered Living Structures with Shape-Morphing Capability Enabled by 4D Printing with Functional Bacteria. ACS Appl Bio Mater 2024. [PMID: 38648508 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Engineered living structures with the incorporation of functional bacteria have been explored extensively in recent years and have shown promising potential applications in biosensing, environmental remediation, and biomedicine. However, it is still rare and challenging to achieve multifunctional capabilities such as material production, shape transformation, and sensing in a single-engineered living structure. In this study, we demonstrate bifunctional living structures by synergistically integrating cellulose-generating bacteria with pH-responsive hydrogels, and the entire structures can be precisely fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing. Such 3D-printed bifunctional living structures produce cellulose nanofibers in ambient conditions and have reversible and controlled shape-morphing properties (usually referred to as four-dimensional printing). Those functionalities make them biomimetic versions of silkworms in the sense that both can generate nanofibers and have body motion. We systematically investigate the processing-structure-property relationship of the bifunctional living structures. The on-demand separation of 3D cellulose structures from the hydrogel template and the living nature of the bacteria after processing and shape transformation are also demonstrated.
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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
| | - Cade Smarr
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Biomedical 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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2
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Lin N, Taghizadehmakoei A, Polovina L, McLean I, Santana-Martínez JC, Naese C, Moraes C, Hallam SJ, Dahmen J. 3D Bioprinting of Food Grade Hydrogel Infused with Living Pleurotus ostreatus Mycelium in Non-sterile Conditions. ACS Appl Bio Mater 2024. [PMID: 38587496 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Mycelium is the root-like network of fungi. Mycelium biocomposites prepared by template replication (molding) can function as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional polystyrene foams, which are energy- and carbon-intensive to manufacture. Recently, several studies have shown that 3D bioprinting technologies can be used to produce high value functional mycelium products with intricate geometries that are otherwise difficult or impossible to achieve via template replication. A diverse range of nutrients, thickeners, and gelling agents can be combined to produce hydrogels suitable for 3D bioprinting. 3D bioprinting with hydrogel formulations infused with living fungi produces engineered living materials that continue to grow after bioprinting is complete. However, a hydrogel formulation optimized for intricate 3D bioprinting of Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium, which is among the strains most commonly used in mycelium biocomposite fabrication, has yet to be described. Here, we design and evaluate a versatile hydrogel formulation consisting of malt extract (nutrient), carboxymethylcellulose and cornstarch (thickeners), and agar (gelling agent), all of which are easily sourced food grade reagents. We also outline a reproducible workflow to infuse this hydrogel with P. ostreatus liquid culture for 3D bioprinting of intricate structures comprised of living P. ostreatus mycelium and characterize the changes in height and mass as well as hardness of the prints during mycelium growth. Finally, we demonstrate that the workflow does not require a sterile bioprinting environment to achieve successful prints and that the same mycelium-infused hydrogel can be supplemented with additives such as sawdust to produce mycelium biocomposite objects. These findings demonstrate that 3D bioprinting using mycelium-based feedstocks could be a promising biofabrication technique to produce engineered living materials for applications such as mushroom cultivation, food preparation, or construction of the built environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Lin
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Alireza Taghizadehmakoei
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Lorena Polovina
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Isobel McLean
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Juan C Santana-Martínez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Chloe Naese
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, Québec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A3, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Steven James Hallam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, 570 West seventh Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Genome Science and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- ECOSCOPE Training Program, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Joseph Dahmen
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
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3
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Wang S, Lim S, Tasmim S, Kalairaj MS, Rivera-Tarazona LK, Abdelrahman MK, Javed M, George SM, Lee YJ, Jawed MK, Ware TH. Reconfigurable Growth of Engineered Living Materials. Adv Mater 2024:e2309818. [PMID: 38288578 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The growth of multicellular organisms is a process akin to additive manufacturing where cellular proliferation and mechanical boundary conditions, among other factors, drive morphogenesis. Engineers have limited ability to engineer morphogenesis to manufacture goods or to reconfigure materials comprised of biomass. Herein, a method that uses biological processes to grow and regrow magnetic engineered living materials (mELMs) into desired geometries is reported. These composites contain Saccharomyces cerevisiae and magnetic particles within a hydrogel matrix. The reconfigurable manufacturing process relies on the growth of living cells, magnetic forces, and elastic recovery of the hydrogel. The mELM then adopts a form in an external magnetic field. Yeast within the material proliferates, resulting in 259 ± 14% volume expansion. Yeast proliferation fixes the magnetic deformation, even when the magnetic field is removed. The shape fixity can be up to 99.3 ± 0.3%. The grown mELM can recover up to 73.9 ± 1.9% of the original form by removing yeast cell walls. The directed growth and recovery process can be repeated at least five times. This work enables ELMs to be processed and reprocessed into user-defined geometries without external material deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suitu Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Sangmin Lim
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Seelay Tasmim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | | | | | - Mustafa K Abdelrahman
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Mahjabeen Javed
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Sasha M George
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Yoo Jin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - M Khalid Jawed
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Taylor H Ware
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
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4
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Ebbesen M, Korvink JG, Islam M, Lantada AD. The ethics of engineered living materials. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:5-9. [PMID: 37798144 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Engineered living materials (ELMs) combine living and non-living entities. Their associated ethical concerns must be addressed to promote safety, promote sustainability, and regulate societal impacts. This article identifies key ethical and safety issues by reflecting on fundamental ethical principles. It further discusses a future ethical roadmap for sustainable research in ELMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Ebbesen
- Techno-Anthropology & Participation, Department of Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark.
| | - Jan G Korvink
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
| | - Monsur Islam
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
| | - Andrés Díaz Lantada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
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5
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Allahbakhsh A, Gadegaard N, Ruiz CM, Shavandi A. Graphene-Based Engineered Living Materials. Small Methods 2024; 8:e2300930. [PMID: 37806771 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
With the rise of engineered living materials (ELMs) as innovative, sustainable and smart systems for diverse engineering and biological applications, global interest in advancing ELMs is on the rise. Graphene-based nanostructures can serve as effective tools to fabricate ELMs. By using graphene-based materials as building units and microorganisms as the designers of the end materials, next-generation ELMs can be engineered with the structural properties of graphene-based materials and the inherent properties of the microorganisms. However, some challenges need to be addressed to fully take advantage of graphene-based nanostructures for the design of next-generation ELMs. This work covers the latest advances in the fabrication and application of graphene-based ELMs. Fabrication strategies of graphene-based ELMs are first categorized, followed by a systematic investigation of the advantages and disadvantages within each category. Next, the potential applications of graphene-based ELMs are covered. Moreover, the challenges associated with fabrication of next-generation graphene-based ELMs are identified and discussed. Based on a comprehensive overview of the literature, the primary challenge limiting the integration of graphene-based nanostructures in ELMs is nanotoxicity arising from synthetic and structural parameters. Finally, we present possible design principles to potentially address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Allahbakhsh
- 3BIO-BioMatter, École polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Nikolaj Gadegaard
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Carmen M Ruiz
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Université de Toulon, IM2NP, UMR 7334, Marseille, F-13397, France
| | - Amin Shavandi
- 3BIO-BioMatter, École polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, 1050, Belgium
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6
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Altin-Yavuzarslan G, Sadaba N, Brooks SM, Alper HS, Nelson A. Engineered Living Material Bioreactors with Tunable Mechanical Properties using Vat Photopolymerization. Small 2023:e2306564. [PMID: 38105580 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
3D-printed engineered living materials (ELM) are promising bioproduction platforms for agriculture, biotechnology, sustainable energy, and green technology applications. However, the design of these platforms faces several challenges, such as the processability of these materials into complex form factors and control over their mechanical properties. Herein, ELM are presented as 3D-printed bioreactors with arbitrary shape geometries and tunable mechanical properties (moduli and toughness). Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) is used as the precursor to create polymer networks that encapsulate the microorganisms during the vat photopolymerization process. A major limitation of PEGDA networks is their propensity to swell and fracture when submerged in water. The authors overcame this issue by adding glycerol to the resin formulation to 3D print mechanically tough ELM hydrogels. While polymer concentration affects the modulus and reduces bioproduction, ELM bioreactors still maintain their metabolic activity regardless of polymer concentration. These ELM bioreactors have the potential to be used in different applications for sustainable architecture, food production, and biomedical devices that require different mechanical properties from soft to stiff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokce Altin-Yavuzarslan
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Naroa Sadaba
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Sierra M Brooks
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Alshakim Nelson
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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7
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Boons R, Siqueira G, Grieder F, Kim SJ, Giovanoli D, Zimmermann T, Nyström G, Coulter FB, Studart AR. 3D Bioprinting of Diatom-Laden Living Materials for Water Quality Assessment. Small 2023; 19:e2300771. [PMID: 37691091 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms have long been used as living biological indicators for the assessment of water quality in lakes and rivers worldwide. While this approach benefits from the great diversity of these unicellular algae, established protocols are time-consuming and require specialized equipment. Here, this work 3D prints diatom-laden hydrogels that can be used as a simple multiplex bio-indicator for water assessment. The hydrogel-based living materials are created with the help of a desktop extrusion-based printer using a suspension of diatoms, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and alginate as bio-ink constituents. Rheology and mechanical tests are employed to establish optimum bio-ink formulations, whereas cell culture experiments are utilized to evaluate the proliferation of the entrapped diatoms in the presence of selected water contaminants. Bioprinting of diatom-laden hydrogels is shown to be an enticing approach to generate living materials that can serve as low-cost bio-indicators for water quality assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani Boons
- Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Gilberto Siqueira
- Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Florian Grieder
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Soo-Jeong Kim
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Diego Giovanoli
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Zimmermann
- Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - Gustav Nyström
- Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Fergal B Coulter
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - André R Studart
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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8
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Xiong LL, Garrett MA, Kornfield JA, Shapiro MG. Living Material with Temperature-Dependent Light Absorption. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2301730. [PMID: 37713073 PMCID: PMC10602556 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Engineered living materials (ELMs) exhibit desirable characteristics of the living component, including growth and repair, and responsiveness to external stimuli. Escherichia coli (E. coli) are a promising constituent of ELMs because they are very tractable to genetic engineering, produce heterologous proteins readily, and grow exponentially. However, seasonal variation in ambient temperature presents a challenge in deploying ELMs outside of a laboratory environment because E. coli growth rate is impaired both below and above 37 °C. Here, a genetic circuit is developed that controls the expression of a light-absorptive chromophore in response to changes in temperature. It is demonstrated that at temperatures below 36 °C, the engineered E. coli increase in pigmentation, causing an increase in sample temperature and growth rate above non-pigmented counterparts in a model planar ELM. On the other hand, at above 36 °C, they decrease in pigmentation, protecting the growth compared to bacteria with temperature-independent high pigmentation. Integrating the temperature-responsive circuit into an ELM has the potential to improve living material performance by optimizing growth and protein production in the face of seasonal temperature changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lealia L. Xiong
- Division of Engineering and Applied SciencesCalifornia Institute of Technology1200 E. California Blvd.PasadenaCA91125USA
| | - Michael A. Garrett
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringCalifornia Institute of Technology1200 E. California Blvd.PasadenaCA91125USA
| | - Julia A. Kornfield
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringCalifornia Institute of Technology1200 E. California Blvd.PasadenaCA91125USA
| | - Mikhail G. Shapiro
- Division of Engineering and Applied SciencesCalifornia Institute of Technology1200 E. California Blvd.PasadenaCA91125USA
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringCalifornia Institute of Technology1200 E. California Blvd.PasadenaCA91125USA
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteCalifornia Institute of Technology1200 E. California Blvd.PasadenaCA91125USA
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9
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Wang Q, Hu Z, Li Z, Liu T, Bian G. Exploring the Application and Prospects of Synthetic Biology in Engineered Living Materials. Adv Mater 2023:e2305828. [PMID: 37677048 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
At the intersection of synthetic biology and materials science, engineered living materials (ELMs) exhibit unprecedented potential. Possessing unique "living" attributes, ELMs represent a significant paradigm shift in material design, showcasing self-organization, self-repair, adaptability, and evolvability, surpassing conventional synthetic materials. This review focuses on reviewing the applications of ELMs derived from bacteria, fungi, and plants in environmental remediation, eco-friendly architecture, and sustainable energy. The review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research progress and emerging design strategies for ELMs in various application fields from the perspectives of synthetic biology and materials science. In addition, the review provides valuable references for the design of novel ELMs, extending the potential applications of future ELMs. The investigation into the synergistic application possibilities amongst different species of ELMs offers beneficial reference information for researchers and practitioners in this field. Finally, future trends and development challenges of synthetic biology for ELMs in the coming years are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwen Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center of Materials Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhehui Hu
- Center of Materials Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhixuan Li
- Center of Materials Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Tiangang Liu
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Guangkai Bian
- Center of Materials Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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10
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Brooks SM, Reed KB, Yuan SF, Altin-Yavuzarslan G, Shafranek R, Nelson A, Alper HS. Enhancing long-term storage and stability of engineered living materials through desiccant storage and trehalose treatment. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:572-582. [PMID: 36281490 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Engineered living materials (ELMs) have broad applications for enabling on-demand bioproduction of compounds ranging from small molecules to large proteins. However, most formulations and reports lack the capacity for storage beyond a few months. In this study, we develop an optimized procedure to maximize stress resilience of yeast-laden ELMs through the use of desiccant storage and 10% trehalose incubation before lyophilization. This approach led to over 1-year room temperature storage stability across a range of strain genotypes. In particular, we highlight the superiority of exogenously added trehalose over endogenous, engineered production in yielding robust preservation resilience that is independent of cell state. This simple, effective protocol enables sufficient accumulation of intracellular trehalose over a short period of contact time across a range of strain backgrounds without requiring the overexpression of a trehalose importer. A variety of microscopic analysis including µ-CT and confocal microscopy indicate that cells form spherical colonies within F127-BUM ELMs that have variable viability upon storage. The robustness of the overall procedure developed here highlights the potential for widespread deployment to enable on-demand, cold-chain independent bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra M Brooks
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Kevin B Reed
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Shuo-Fu Yuan
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Gokce Altin-Yavuzarslan
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ryan Shafranek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alshakim Nelson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.,Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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11
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Binelli MR, Kan A, Rozas LEA, Pisaturo G, Prakash N, Studart AR. Complex Living Materials Made by Light-Based Printing of Genetically Programmed Bacteria. Adv Mater 2023; 35:e2207483. [PMID: 36444840 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202207483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Living materials with embedded microorganisms can genetically encode attractive sensing, self-repairing, and responsive functionalities for applications in medicine, robotics, and infrastructure. While the synthetic toolbox for genetically engineering bacteria continues to expand, technologies to shape bacteria-laden living materials into complex 3D geometries are still rather limited. Here, it is shown that bacteria-laden hydrogels can be shaped into living materials with unusual architectures and functionalities using readily available light-based printing techniques. Bioluminescent and melanin-producing bacteria are used to create complex materials with autonomous chemical-sensing capabilities by harnessing the metabolic activity of wild-type and engineered microorganisms. The shaping freedom offered by printing technologies and the rich biochemical diversity available in bacteria provides ample design space for the creation and exploration of complex living materials with programmable functionalities for a broad range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco R Binelli
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Anton Kan
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Luis E A Rozas
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Pisaturo
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Namita Prakash
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - André R Studart
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
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12
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Wang S, Rivera-Tarazona LK, Abdelrahman MK, Ware TH. Digitally Programmable Manufacturing of Living Materials Grown from Biowaste. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:20062-20072. [PMID: 35442018 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c03109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Material manufacturing strategies that use little energy, valorize waste, and result in degradable products are urgently needed. Strategies that transform abundant biomass into functional materials form one approach to these emerging manufacturing techniques. From a biological standpoint, morphogenesis of biological tissues is a "manufacturing" mode without energy-intensive processes, large carbon footprints, and toxic wastes. Inspired by biological morphogenesis, we propose a manufacturing strategy by embedding living Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast) within a synthetic acrylic hydrogel matrix. By culturing the living materials in media derived from bread waste, encapsulated yeast cells can proliferate, resulting in a dramatic dry mass and volume increase of the whole living material. After growth, the final material is up to 96 wt % biomass and 590% larger in volume than the initial object. By digitally programming the cell viability through UV irradiation or photodynamic inactivation, the living materials can form complex user-defined relief surfaces or 3D objects during growth. Ultimately, the grown structures can also be designed to be degradable. The proposed living material manufacturing strategy cultured from biowaste may pave the way for future ecologically friendly manufacturing of materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suitu Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Laura K Rivera-Tarazona
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Mustafa K Abdelrahman
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Taylor H Ware
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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13
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Omer R, Mohsin MZ, Mohsin A, Mushtaq BS, Huang X, Guo M, Zhuang Y, Huang J. Engineered Bacteria-Based Living Materials for Biotherapeutic Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:870675. [PMID: 35573236 PMCID: PMC9096031 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.870675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Future advances in therapeutics demand the development of dynamic and intelligent living materials. The past static monofunctional materials shall be unable to meet the requirements of future medical development. Also, the demand for precision medicine has increased with the progressively developing human society. Therefore, engineered living materials (ELMs) are vitally important for biotherapeutic applications. These ELMs can be cells, microbes, biofilms, and spores, representing a new platform for treating intractable diseases. Synthetic biology plays a crucial role in the engineering of these living entities. Hence, in this review, the role of synthetic biology in designing and creating genetically engineered novel living materials, particularly bacteria, has been briefly summarized for diagnostic and targeted delivery. The main focus is to provide knowledge about the recent advances in engineered bacterial-based therapies, especially in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, and infection. Microorganisms, particularly probiotics, have been engineered for synthetic living therapies. Furthermore, these programmable bacteria are designed to sense input signals and respond to disease-changing environments with multipronged therapeutic outputs. These ELMs will open a new path for the synthesis of regenerative medicines as they release therapeutics that provide in situ drug delivery with lower systemic effects. In last, the challenges being faced in this field and the future directions requiring breakthroughs have been discussed. Conclusively, the intent is to present the recent advances in research and biomedical applications of engineered bacteria-based therapies during the last 5 years, as a novel treatment for uncontrollable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Omer
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Muhammad Zubair Mohsin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ali Mohsin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bilal Sajid Mushtaq
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xumeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Meijin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaofang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Jiaofang Huang,
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14
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Islam M, Lantada AD, Mager D, Korvink JG. Carbon-Based Materials for Articular Tissue Engineering: From Innovative Scaffolding Materials toward Engineered Living Carbon. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101834. [PMID: 34601815 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Carbon materials constitute a growing family of high-performance materials immersed in ongoing scientific technological revolutions. Their biochemical properties are interesting for a wide set of healthcare applications and their biomechanical performance, which can be modulated to mimic most human tissues, make them remarkable candidates for tissue repair and regeneration, especially for articular problems and osteochondral defects involving diverse tissues with very different morphologies and properties. However, more systematic approaches to the engineering design of carbon-based cell niches and scaffolds are needed and relevant challenges should still be overcome through extensive and collaborative research. In consequence, this study presents a comprehensive description of carbon materials and an explanation of their benefits for regenerative medicine, focusing on their rising impact in the area of osteochondral and articular repair and regeneration. Once the state-of-the-art is illustrated, innovative design and fabrication strategies for artificially recreating the cellular microenvironment within complex articular structures are discussed. Together with these modern design and fabrication approaches, current challenges, and research trends for reaching patients and creating social and economic impacts are examined. In a closing perspective, the engineering of living carbon materials is also presented for the first time and the related fundamental breakthroughs ahead are clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monsur Islam
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Institute of Microstructure Technology Hermann‐von‐Helmholtz‐Platz 1 Eggenstein‐Leopoldshafen 76344 Germany
| | - Andrés Díaz Lantada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Universidad Politécnica de Madrid José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 Madrid 28006 Spain
| | - Dario Mager
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Institute of Microstructure Technology Hermann‐von‐Helmholtz‐Platz 1 Eggenstein‐Leopoldshafen 76344 Germany
| | - Jan G. Korvink
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Institute of Microstructure Technology Hermann‐von‐Helmholtz‐Platz 1 Eggenstein‐Leopoldshafen 76344 Germany
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15
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Birnbaum DP, Manjula‐Basavanna A, Kan A, Tardy BL, Joshi NS. Hybrid Living Capsules Autonomously Produced by Engineered Bacteria. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2021; 8:2004699. [PMID: 34141524 PMCID: PMC8188213 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial cellulose (BC) has excellent material properties and can be produced sustainably through simple bacterial culture, but BC-producing bacteria lack the extensive genetic toolkits of model organisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). Here, a simple approach is reported for producing highly programmable BC materials through incorporation of engineered E. coli. The acetic acid bacterium Gluconacetobacter hansenii is cocultured with engineered E. coli in droplets of glucose-rich media to produce robust cellulose capsules, which are then colonized by the E. coli upon transfer to selective lysogeny broth media. It is shown that the encapsulated E. coli can produce engineered protein nanofibers within the cellulose matrix, yielding hybrid capsules capable of sequestering specific biomolecules from the environment and enzymatic catalysis. Furthermore, capsules are produced which can alter their own bulk physical properties through enzyme-induced biomineralization. This novel system uses a simple fabrication process, based on the autonomous activity of two bacteria, to significantly expand the functionality of BC-based living materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Birnbaum
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMA02138USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyNortheastern UniversityBostonMA02115USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired EngineeringHarvard UniversityBostonMA02115USA
| | - Avinash Manjula‐Basavanna
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyNortheastern UniversityBostonMA02115USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired EngineeringHarvard UniversityBostonMA02115USA
| | - Anton Kan
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired EngineeringHarvard UniversityBostonMA02115USA
| | - Blaise L. Tardy
- Department of Bioproducts and BiosystemsAalto UniversityEspooFI‐00076Finland
| | - Neel S. Joshi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyNortheastern UniversityBostonMA02115USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired EngineeringHarvard UniversityBostonMA02115USA
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16
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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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Abstract
Microbes that form biofilms on electrodes and generate electrical current responses could be integrated into devices to perform sensing, conduct signals, or act as living microprocessors. A challenge in working with these species is the ability to visualize biofilm formation and protein expression in real-time while also measuring current, which is not possible with typical bio-electrochemical reactors. Here, we present a three-dimensional-printed flow cell for simultaneous electrochemistry and fluorescence imaging. Current-producing biofilms of Marinobacter atlanticus constitutively expressing green fluorescent protein were grown on the flow cell working electrode. Increasing current corresponded with increasing surface coverage and was comparable to biofilms grown in typical stirred-batch reactors. An isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) inducible system driving yellow fluorescent protein was used to assess the spatiotemporal activation of protein expression within the biofilm at different stages of growth and induction dynamics. The response time ranged from 30 min to 5 h, depending on the conditions. These data demonstrate that the electrochemical flow cell can evaluate the performance of an electrically active environmental bacterium under conditions relevant for development as a living electronic sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A. Phillips
- American Society for Engineering Education, 1818 N Street N.W. Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036, United States
| | - Lina J. Bird
- Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Brian J. Eddie
- Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Matthew D. Yates
- Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Leonard M. Tender
- Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Christopher A. Voigt
- Department of Biological Engineering and the Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sarah M. Glaven
- Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
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Duraj-Thatte AM, Courchesne NMD, Praveschotinunt P, Rutledge J, Lee Y, Karp JM, Joshi NS. Genetically Programmable Self-Regenerating Bacterial Hydrogels. Adv Mater 2019; 31:e1901826. [PMID: 31402514 PMCID: PMC6773506 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201901826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A notable challenge for the design of engineered living materials (ELMs) is programming a cellular system to assimilate resources from its surroundings and convert them into macroscopic materials with specific functions. Here, an ELM that uses Escherichia coli as its cellular chassis and engineered curli nanofibers as its extracellular matrix component is demonstrated. Cell-laden hydrogels are created by concentrating curli-producing cultures. The rheological properties of the living hydrogels are modulated by genetically encoded factors and processing steps. The hydrogels have the ability to grow and self-renew when placed under conditions that facilitate cell growth. Genetic programming enables the gels to be customized to interact with different tissues of the gastrointestinal tract selectively. This work lays a foundation for the application of ELMs with therapeutic functions and extended residence times in the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Duraj-Thatte
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Noémie-Manuelle Dorval Courchesne
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Pichet Praveschotinunt
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jarod Rutledge
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yuhan Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine and Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Karp
- Center for Nanomedicine and Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Neel S Joshi
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Charrier M, Li D, Mann VR, Yun L, Jani S, Rad B, Cohen BE, Ashby PD, Ryan KR, Ajo-Franklin CM. Engineering the S-Layer of Caulobacter crescentus as a Foundation for Stable, High-Density, 2D Living Materials. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:181-190. [PMID: 30577690 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Materials synthesized by organisms, such as bones and wood, combine the ability to self-repair with remarkable mechanical properties. This multifunctionality arises from the presence of living cells within the material and hierarchical assembly of different components across nanometer to micron scales. While creating engineered analogues of these natural materials is of growing interest, our ability to hierarchically order materials using living cells largely relies on engineered 1D protein filaments. Here, we lay the foundation for bottom-up assembly of engineered living material composites in 2D along the cell body using a synthetic biology approach. We engineer the paracrystalline surface-layer (S-layer) of Caulobacter crescentus to display SpyTag peptides that form irreversible isopeptide bonds to SpyCatcher-modified proteins, nanocrystals, and biopolymers on the extracellular surface. Using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, we show that attachment of these materials to the cell surface is uniform, specific, and covalent, and its density can be controlled on the basis of the insertion location within the S-layer protein, RsaA. Moreover, we leverage the irreversible nature of this attachment to demonstrate via SDS-PAGE that the engineered S-layer can display a high density of materials, reaching 1 attachment site per 288 nm2. Finally, we show that ligation of quantum dots to the cell surface does not impair cell viability, and this composite material remains intact over a period of 2 weeks. Taken together, this work provides a platform for self-organization of soft and hard nanomaterials on a cell surface with precise control over 2D density, composition, and stability of the resulting composite, and is a key step toward building hierarchically ordered engineered living materials with emergent properties.
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Nguyen PQ, Courchesne NMD, Duraj-Thatte A, Praveschotinunt P, Joshi NS. Engineered Living Materials: Prospects and Challenges for Using Biological Systems to Direct the Assembly of Smart Materials. Adv Mater 2018; 30:e1704847. [PMID: 29430725 PMCID: PMC6309613 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201704847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Vast potential exists for the development of novel, engineered platforms that manipulate biology for the production of programmed advanced materials. Such systems would possess the autonomous, adaptive, and self-healing characteristics of living organisms, but would be engineered with the goal of assembling bulk materials with designer physicochemical or mechanical properties, across multiple length scales. Early efforts toward such engineered living materials (ELMs) are reviewed here, with an emphasis on engineered bacterial systems, living composite materials which integrate inorganic components, successful examples of large-scale implementation, and production methods. In addition, a conceptual exploration of the fundamental criteria of ELM technology and its future challenges is presented. Cradled within the rich intersection of synthetic biology and self-assembling materials, the development of ELM technologies allows the power of biology to be leveraged to grow complex structures and objects using a palette of bio-nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Q. Nguyen
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Noémie-Manuelle Dorval Courchesne
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Anna Duraj-Thatte
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Pichet Praveschotinunt
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Neel S. Joshi
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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