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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Finite Element Modelling of a Cellular Electric Microenvironment
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Finite Element Modelling of a Cellular Electric Microenvironment

Published on: May 18, 2021

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Engineering living functional materials.

Allen Y Chen1, Chao Zhong, Timothy K Lu

  • 1Biophysics Program, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States.

ACS Synthetic Biology
|January 17, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Engineered living materials combine cells and inorganic components for novel functions. Synthetic biology enables bacteria to create advanced materials, offering self-healing and adaptable properties for sustainable manufacturing.

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Synthetic Biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Natural materials integrate organic and inorganic components, offering unique functionalities like regeneration.
  • Existing synthetic materials lack the combined properties of living systems and inorganic matter.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer 'living functional materials' and 'living materials synthesis platforms' by combining living systems and inorganic components.
  • To demonstrate the potential of synthetic biology to create advanced materials with novel properties.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized synthetic gene circuits in Escherichia coli biofilms.
  • Engineered biofilms as chemical-inducer-responsive electrical switches.
  • Developed biofilms as platforms for dynamic organization of biotic-abiotic materials and synthesis of nanostructures.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Finite Element Modelling of a Cellular Electric Microenvironment
08:23

Finite Element Modelling of a Cellular Electric Microenvironment

Published on: May 18, 2021

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Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials
10:28

Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

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Main Results:

  • Demonstrated engineered E. coli biofilms as functional electrical switches.
  • Showcased biofilms templating gold nanorods, nanowires, and heterostructures.
  • Achieved synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles using engineered biofilms.

Conclusions:

  • Synthetic biology tools can engineer living systems and their interface with inorganic materials.
  • Hybrid living-inorganic materials offer multifunctional, self-healing, and adaptable properties.
  • This approach enables distributed, bottom-up, and sustainable materials synthesis.