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Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
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Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...
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Many proteins form complexes to carry out their functions, making protein-protein interactions (PPIs) essential for an organism's survival. Most PPIs are stabilized by numerous weak noncovalent chemical forces. The physical shape of the interfaces determines the way two proteins interact. Many globular proteins have closely-matching shapes on their surfaces, which form a large number of weak bonds. Additionally, many PPIs occur between two helices or between a surface cleft and a...
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Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level
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Microbial Polymers and Living Interfaces: Interplay Between Matter and Microbes.

Julia Amorim1, Patrice Crosby2, Jennifer Tran1

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA;

Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
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Summary

Microbes create polymers, and polymers influence microbial behavior, driving innovation in sustainable and bioactive materials. This research explores their interface for advanced applications.

Keywords:
bioactive polymersbiopolymersengineered living materialsmaterial-centric phenotype engineeringmicrobial consortia

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Growing demand for sustainable, low-carbon polymer fabrication.
  • Need for polymers with bioactive and living functions.
  • Exploring the symbiotic relationship between microbes and polymers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the bidirectional interface between microbes and polymers.
  • To evaluate polymer synthesis by microbes and microbial influence on polymer properties.
  • To examine polymer applications in engineered living materials.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of microbial polymer synthesis (polysaccharides, polyesters, proteins).
  • Assessment of post-synthesis processing effects on polymer properties.
  • Evaluation of sustainability metrics (solvent recovery, life cycle impacts, biodegradation).
  • Examination of polymer design principles for engineered living materials.

Main Results:

  • Microbial synthesis yields diverse polymers with tunable properties.
  • Post-synthesis processing significantly alters polymer architecture and performance.
  • Engineered polymers can regulate microbial adhesion, growth, and spatial organization.
  • Applications include drug delivery, carbon capture, and structural composites.

Conclusions:

  • The microbe-polymer interface offers significant opportunities for sustainable material design.
  • Engineered living materials leverage polymer-microbe interactions for advanced functionalities.
  • Automation and AI can accelerate the development and responsible deployment of these materials.