Living electronics: A catalogue of engineered living electronic components

Area of Science:

• Biology and Electrical Engineering
• Microbial Electrophysiology
• Synthetic Biology

Background:

• Biological systems utilize electrical phenomena for energy, reaction control, and communication.
• Microbes have evolved genetic machinery to interact with redox-active molecules and minerals, driving biogeochemical cycles.
• This microbial machinery is being adapted for bio-electronic interfaces in biotechnology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of living electronic components derived from microbial systems.
• To explore the application of synthetic biology in creating engineered living materials with tunable electrical properties.
• To discuss the assembly of these bio-electronic components into functional living circuits.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on microbial electrophysiology and synthetic biology.
• Analysis of genetically encoded microbial machinery for electrical applications.
• Exploration of methods for interfacing biological components with electrical circuits.

Main Results:

• Identification of various living electronic components: wires, capacitors, transistors, diodes, optoelectronic devices, sensors, and logic processors.
• Demonstration of microbial machinery as components for engineered living materials.
• Methods for assembling these components into functional living electronic circuits.

Conclusions:

• Microbial systems offer a powerful platform for developing novel living electronic components.
• Synthetic biology enables the engineering of these components for advanced biotechnological applications.
• The integration of these bio-electronic parts paves the way for sophisticated living circuits.