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Synthetic Biology: A Solution for Tackling Nanomaterial Challenges
Benjamin P Lambert1, Alice J Gillen1, Ardemis A Boghossian1
1École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|May 23, 2020
Summary
Bioengineers can now design complex biomaterials by adapting protein engineering methods. This approach enhances the development of synthetic nanomaterials, like DNA-carbon nanotube sensors, for broader applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Nanomaterials Science
- Synthetic Biology
Background:
- Bioengineers often tune biomaterial properties with limited structure-function data.
- Protein engineering frequently faces challenges due to ill-defined structure-function relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review bioengineering approaches for overcoming elusive protein structure-function relationships.
- To extend these principles to the engineering of synthetic nanomaterials.
- To apply the theory to optical sensors using single-stranded DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (ssDNA-SWCNTs).
Main Methods:
- Review of bioengineering techniques: directed evolution, computational design, noncanonical synthesis.
- Analysis of empirical approaches for nanomaterial design (random and guided searches).
- Application of theory to ssDNA-SWCNT optical sensors.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated applicability of bioengineering principles to nanomaterial design.
- Provided a framework for understanding empirical design strategies in nanomaterials.
- Highlighted the potential for extending these concepts to diverse engineering fields.
Conclusions:
- Bioengineering strategies offer a pathway to design complex nanomaterials.
- The principles discussed can guide empirical design in catalysis, MOFs, and beyond.
- This work bridges the gap between biological and materials engineering for advanced applications.
