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Synthetic Biology

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
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A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

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Biomimetics for next generation materials.

Francois Barthelat¹

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2K6. francois.barthelat@mcgill.ca

Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences

|September 15, 2007

Summary

Engineers are inspired by nature to create advanced materials by mimicking biological structures like nacre and bone. Biomimetics uses self-assembly and biomineralization for novel, high-performance synthetic materials.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Biomimetics
Engineering

Background:

Nature provides highly efficient materials developed over billions of years.
Biomimetics, the imitation of nature, is a growing field for creating novel materials.
Hard biological materials like nacre and bone are complex composites of weak components.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss the mechanics of hard biological materials, specifically nacre and bone.
To identify key features controlling the performance of natural composites.
To explore biomimetic approaches for fabricating advanced synthetic materials.

Main Methods:

Analysis of the mechanics of natural composites (nacre and bone).
Identification of 'key features' for material performance.
Exploration of fabrication techniques: layer-by-layer assembly, ice-templated crystallization, self-assembly, and biomineralization.

Main Results:

Natural composites achieve remarkable stiffness, strength, and toughness through intricate arrangements of weak components.
Biomimetic approaches can replicate these natural structures.
Bottom-up fabrication methods like self-assembly and biomineralization offer nanoscale control.

Conclusions:

Understanding natural material mechanics is crucial for biomimetics.
Innovative fabrication techniques enable the creation of bio-inspired materials with enhanced properties.
Future 'next-generation' materials require interdisciplinary collaboration.