Biofabricated cellulose materials through synthetic biology
File(s)
Author(s)
Walker, Kenneth
Type
Thesis
Abstract
The development of synthetics has been an essential part of human advancement over the
past 100 years. However, as we look further into the next 100 years, we see how the
production and scale of consumption of synthetics is deeply unsustainable. With this
backdrop, many are looking to biomaterials as the more sustainable, advanced and dynamic
next step after synthetics. Biomaterials already possess many of the properties that we seek in
synthetics and offer the potential for dynamic and responsive features not currently possible
through conventual manufacturing. However, to control the properties of these biomaterials
requires that we become highly adept at manipulating the biological machinery that produce
them. Synthetic biology, a field that applies the approaches of engineering to biological
systems, aims to give us such capabilities. To understand how synthetic biology could
transform the material space, it must be applied to a system of biomaterial production.
Bacterial cellulose, a pure cellulose material produced by many bacteria, but overproduced by
the genetically tractable Komagataeibacter rhaeticus may be the best place to explore this
potential.
Here, I have set out to explore the application of synthetic biology to bacterial cellulose. First,
I better characterise K. rhaeticus with a combination of DNA and RNA sequencing - focusing
on the use of long-read DNA sequencing to assemble the genome of K. rhaeticus. Next, I
construct a series of tools for K. rhaeticus, including a modular CRISPR interference system
and an optogenetics system which can produce high-resolution spatial pattering within
growing bacterial cellulose. Finally, I explore how one could use engineered bacterial
cellulose through the creation of a self-dyeing, melanin producing bacterial cellulose, which,
in collaboration with biodesigner Jen Keane, I use to biofabricate a genetically modified shoe
upper.
past 100 years. However, as we look further into the next 100 years, we see how the
production and scale of consumption of synthetics is deeply unsustainable. With this
backdrop, many are looking to biomaterials as the more sustainable, advanced and dynamic
next step after synthetics. Biomaterials already possess many of the properties that we seek in
synthetics and offer the potential for dynamic and responsive features not currently possible
through conventual manufacturing. However, to control the properties of these biomaterials
requires that we become highly adept at manipulating the biological machinery that produce
them. Synthetic biology, a field that applies the approaches of engineering to biological
systems, aims to give us such capabilities. To understand how synthetic biology could
transform the material space, it must be applied to a system of biomaterial production.
Bacterial cellulose, a pure cellulose material produced by many bacteria, but overproduced by
the genetically tractable Komagataeibacter rhaeticus may be the best place to explore this
potential.
Here, I have set out to explore the application of synthetic biology to bacterial cellulose. First,
I better characterise K. rhaeticus with a combination of DNA and RNA sequencing - focusing
on the use of long-read DNA sequencing to assemble the genome of K. rhaeticus. Next, I
construct a series of tools for K. rhaeticus, including a modular CRISPR interference system
and an optogenetics system which can produce high-resolution spatial pattering within
growing bacterial cellulose. Finally, I explore how one could use engineered bacterial
cellulose through the creation of a self-dyeing, melanin producing bacterial cellulose, which,
in collaboration with biodesigner Jen Keane, I use to biofabricate a genetically modified shoe
upper.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2021-04
Date Awarded
2021-11
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike Licence
Advisor
Ellis, Thomas
Sponsor
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
1846146
Publisher Department
Bioengineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)