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Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials
Published on: March 9, 2017
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Engineered Living Materials: Prospects and Challenges for Using Biological Systems to Direct the Assembly of Smart
Peter Q Nguyen1, Noémie-Manuelle Dorval Courchesne1, Anna Duraj-Thatte1
1School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|February 13, 2018
Summary
Engineered living materials (ELMs) leverage synthetic biology to create advanced materials with autonomous, self-healing properties. This review explores current ELM technologies, focusing on bacterial systems and future challenges in material production.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic biology
- Materials science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Living organisms offer autonomous, adaptive, and self-healing properties.
- Engineered living materials (ELMs) aim to harness these biological characteristics for material production.
- Current research focuses on integrating biological systems with material science principles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of engineered living materials (ELMs).
- To highlight key advancements in bacterial systems and composite materials.
- To discuss large-scale implementation and production methods for ELMs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on engineered living materials.
- Analysis of engineered bacterial systems and living composite materials.
- Examination of large-scale implementation and production strategies.
Main Results:
- Significant potential exists for developing ELMs with designer properties.
- Engineered bacterial systems and living composites show promise.
- Progress has been made in understanding fundamental criteria and production methods.
Conclusions:
- ELM technology represents a powerful convergence of synthetic biology and materials science.
- Harnessing biological systems enables the growth of complex structures with tailored properties.
- Future challenges include scaling production and further refining material characteristics.
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