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Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials.
Keith C Heyde1, Felicia Y Scott2, Sung-Ho Paek2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University; Engineering Science and Mechanics Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|April 1, 2017
Summary
Engineered E. coli cells can now control material properties on surfaces. This synthetic biology advance links engineered cells to functionalized materials for novel applications.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic Biology
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Current limitations in controlling material properties with biological systems.
- The need for interfaces between engineered cells and abiotic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an abiotic-biotic interface for cell-mediated control of material properties.
- To engineer a bacterial strain capable of responding to external stimuli by altering its environment.
- To create functionalized surfaces that interact with biologically produced molecules.
Main Methods:
- Genetic engineering of Escherichia coli (E. coli) using molecular cloning to control biotin production.
- Development of two distinct functionalized surfaces designed to interact with biotin.
- Integration of engineered E. coli with functionalized surfaces to create a responsive system.
Main Results:
- Successful genetic modification of E. coli to overproduce biotin upon induction.
- Creation of biotin-responsive functionalized surfaces.
- Demonstration of a linked abiotic-biotic system where engineered cells influence material composition.
Conclusions:
- A novel methodology for creating a controllable abiotic-biotic interface has been established.
- Engineered cells can effectively direct the assembly and composition of materials on nonliving substrates.
- This work opens avenues for advanced biomaterials and cell-material interactions.