Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2025
10:28
Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials
Published on: March 9, 2017
9.0K
Engineered Living Materials For Sustainability
Bolin An1,2, Yanyi Wang1,2, Yuanyuan Huang1,2
1Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Chemical Reviews
|December 13, 2022
Summary
Engineered living materials (ELMs) combine living cells with scaffolds, enabling self-repair and programmed functions. This review explores their potential for sustainable applications in energy, medicine, and smart materials.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Synthetic Biology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Engineered living materials (ELMs) integrate living organisms within self-regenerating matrices.
- These materials mimic natural tissues, exhibiting growth, self-organization, and self-repair capabilities.
- ELMs can perform programmed biological functions in response to environmental stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dynamic features of natural living systems and their translation into novel material design.
- To summarize recent advancements in ELM research and design strategies.
- To discuss the sustainability implications and future research directions for ELMs.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on synthetic biology and materials science.
- Analysis of design principles for creating functional ELMs.
- Exploration of natural living systems for material inspiration.
Main Results:
- ELMs offer capabilities like growth, self-organization, and self-repair, akin to natural materials.
- They demonstrate potential for applications in green energy, bioremediation, and disease treatment.
- Emerging design strategies leverage both synthetic biology and materials science.
Conclusions:
- ELMs represent a promising new class of advanced materials with significant potential.
- Their development is crucial for advancing sustainable technologies and smart material fabrication.
- Future research should focus on harnessing ELM capabilities for broader societal benefits.
