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Living Dual Heat- and pH-Responsive Textiles
Dalia Jane Saldanha1, Simon James Alexander Rowat1, Henry Stephenson1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada.
ACS Synthetic Biology
|January 17, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed smart textiles that sense both pH and temperature using engineered bacteria and proteins. These living textiles offer a new platform for advanced, responsive wearable technology.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Wearable Technology
- Synthetic Biology
Background:
- Smart textiles are advancing wearable technology with integrated environmental sensing.
- Developing multifunctional textiles requires novel bio-integrated systems.
- Bacterial systems and proteins offer unique responsive properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer dual pH- and temperature-responsive smart textiles.
- To characterize bacterial heat-sensing systems for textile integration.
- To create a proof-of-concept for living, bioresponsive textiles.
Main Methods:
- Engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) with a heat-sensitive promoter (Phs) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) for temperature sensing.
- Utilized genetically engineered curli fibers incorporating a pH-sensitive fluorescent protein (pHuji) for pH sensing.
- Integrated E. coli Phs-EGFP systems within curli fiber coatings on textiles.
Main Results:
- The Phs promoter showed elevated gene expression between 37-43 °C, with heat shocks boosting activity.
- Integrated E. coli retained heat-responsive capabilities on textiles.
- The dual-responsive textiles successfully detected both pH changes and temperature variations.
Conclusions:
- Established a proof-of-concept for dual pH- and temperature-responsive living textiles.
- Demonstrated the potential of engineered bacteria and curli fibers for bioresponsive materials.
- Paved the way for modular, advanced bioresponsive materials in wearable technology.
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