Engineered Living Materials: Taxonomies and Emerging Trends

Area of Science:

• Synthetic Biology
• Materials Science
• Bioengineering

Background:

• Engineered living materials (ELMs) represent a convergence of synthetic biology and materials science.
• The field has rapidly grown, creating innovations in therapeutics, electronics, and construction.
• The transdisciplinary nature of ELMs presents challenges in understanding achievements across different scientific domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an emergent taxonomy for categorizing ELM research.
• To provide a holistic comprehension of tools, techniques, and applications within the ELM field.
• To discuss current trends, advancements, opportunities, and challenges in ELM research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis.
• Development of a novel taxonomy for ELM research.
• Analysis of state-of-the-art advancements and applications.

Main Results:

• A proposed taxonomy that organizes ELM research.
• Identification of key trends and breakthroughs in ELM synthesis and application.
• An overview of significant opportunities and challenges facing the field.

Conclusions:

• The developed taxonomy facilitates a clearer understanding of the diverse ELM landscape.
• Addressing identified challenges is crucial for continued progress in engineered living materials.
• The review serves as a guide for scientists and engineers navigating the ELM field.