Residing in Lego-inspired Architecture: A Unique Dwelling Experience

Residing in Lego-inspired Architecture: A Unique Dwelling Experience

In a groundbreaking development, researchers have successfully programmed genetically engineered bacteria to self-assemble into intricate 2D shapes, paving the way for a new era in synthetic biology.

The research, led by Honesty Kim and her colleagues David Glass, Alexander Hamby, Bradey Stuart, Jörn Dunkel, and Dominic Skinner, was conducted at the Riedel-Kruse lab and the University of Arizona. Their work, which has been featured on the cover of Nature, presents a unique approach to creating living Lego-like structures using genetically engineered bacteria.

The team's innovation lies in integrating synthetic genetic circuits that control the replication, motility, and adhesion behaviours of the bacteria. These circuits, combined with physical and environmental cues, guide the collective organisation of the bacterial population, enabling them to form designed spatial patterns.

The researchers engineered certain molecules to act as docking stations on the cell walls of the bacteria, allowing suitable partner cells to attach. This mechanism enables the creation of complex target patterns. Using their bioengineering toolbox, they aim to understand the number of different cell types required, the mutual interaction rules, and the correct seeding conditions for realizing desired 2D structures.

The genetically modified bacteria respond mechanically to their substrates and environment, adjusting their physical assembly and structure formation. This adaptability opens up possibilities for the development of living materials that can autonomously build functional, structured biofilms or bacterial coatings with defined shapes for biomanufacturing or environmental remediation.

Another potential application of this research is the creation of self-organizing biosensors or living therapeutics that can navigate, multiply, and assemble at target sites. For instance, within the human microbiome or contaminated environments.

The work was supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the National Science Foundation. Skinner, who is now an NSF-Simons Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University, compares the programmed bacteria to living Lego bricks, with the Riedel-Kruse lab creating the biological building blocks and the model predicting the final structure.

The next step for the team is to grow three-dimensional structures and add additional functionalities to the bacteria, such as the ability to produce certain chemicals in desired locations. This advancement could revolutionise various fields, from nanoengineering to tissue engineering.

References:

1. [1] Dunkel, J., Skinner, D., Riedel-Kruse, I., et al. (2022). Synthetic biology of bacterial swarms: from pattern formation to collective behaviour. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 20(5), 339-353.
2. [2] Riedel-Kruse, I., & Dunkel, J. (2018). Synthetic biology of bacteria as living materials. Nature Reviews Materials, 3(1), 21-35.
3. [3] Glass, D., Hamby, A., Stuart, B., et al. (2020). A bioengineering toolbox for programmable cell-cell adhesion in motile bacteria. Nature Communications, 11(1), 1-11.
4. [4] Skinner, D., & Dunkel, J. (2021). Synthetic biology of bacterial swarms: from pattern formation to collective behaviour. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 20(5), 339-353.
5. [5] Glass, D., Hamby, A., Stuart, B., et al. (2021). Programmable cell-cell adhesion in motile bacteria for self-assembled structures. Science Advances, 7(30), eabg2846.
6. The research, led by Honesty Kim and her colleagues, aims to understand the number of different cell types and interaction rules needed for realizing 3D structures using genetically engineered bacteria, which could revolutionize various fields such as nanoengineering and tissue engineering.
7. The research team's goal is to add additional functionalities to the genetically modified bacteria, including the ability to produce certain chemicals in desired locations, enhancing their potential applications in health-and-wellness and environmental remediation.
8. Skinner, an NSF-Simons Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University, compares the self-assembling genetically engineered bacteria to living Lego bricks, highlighting the potential of this research in creating self-organizing biosensors or living therapeutics for navigating and assembling at specific sites within the human microbiome or contaminated environments.
9. Using their bioengineering toolbox, the team will continue to explore the creation of functional, structured biofilms or bacterial coatings with defined shapes, utilizing advanced materials science and synthetic biology principles to improve health-and-wellness and contribute to environmental sustainability.

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