Biological engineered living materials - growing functional materials with genetically-programmable properties
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Gilbert, Charlie
Ellis, Tom
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Natural biological materials exhibit remarkable properties: self-assembly from simple raw materials, precise control of morphology, diverse physical and chemical properties, self-repair and the ability to sense-and-respond to environmental stimuli. Despite having found numerous uses in human industry and society, the utility of natural biological materials is limited. But, could it be possible to genetically program microbes to create entirely new and useful biological materials? At the intersection between microbiology, material science and synthetic biology, the emerging field of biological Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) aims to answer this question. Here we review recent efforts to program cells to produce living materials with novel functional properties, focussing on microbial systems that can be engineered to grow materials and on new genetic circuits for pattern formation that could be used to produce the more complex systems of the future.
Date Issued
2019-01-18
Date Acceptance
2018-12-01
Citation
ACS Synthetic Biology, 2019, 8 (1), pp.1-15
ISSN
2161-5063
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
1
End Page
15
Journal / Book Title
ACS Synthetic Biology
Volume
8
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2018 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Synthetic Biology, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.8b00423
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30576101
Grant Number
EP/M002306/1
EP/N026489/1
EP/N026489/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Biochemical Research Methods
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
BACTERIAL CELLULOSE BIOSYNTHESIS
BACILLUS-SUBTILIS
MAGNETOSOME EXPRESSION
SILICA IMMOBILIZATION
PROTEIN HYDROGELS
CURLI BIOGENESIS
FUSION PROTEINS
BOMBYX-MORI
BIOFILMS
ADHESION
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2018-12-21