Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Molinari, Robert F. Tesoriero, Dong Li, Swetha Sridhar, Rong Cai, Jayashree Soman, Kathleen R. Ryan, Paul D. Ashby, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
Summary: Engineered living materials (ELMs) embed living cells in a biopolymer matrix to create novel materials with tailored functions. In this work, the authors engineered bacteria to grow novel macroscopic materials that can be reshaped, functionalized, and used to filter contaminated water while also showing that the stiffness of these materials can be tuned through genetic changes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lianyue Li, Chun Yang, Binglin Ma, Shenjunjie Lu, Jing Liu, Yiyang Pan, Xuyan Wang, Yiliang Zhang, Hanjie Wang, Tao Sun, Duo Liu
Summary: Genetically modified engineered microorganisms have been encapsulated in hydrogels to treat skin diseases. A photoautotrophic living material containing an engineered microbial consortium has been designed and fabricated, which can function stably for a longer period of time. The living material has been tested in a rat-skin defect model and shown to promote wound healing more effectively compared to control groups.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lara Connolley, Lucas Schnabel, Martin Thanbichler, Sean M. Murray
Summary: In many bacteria, ParB associates with parS-containing centromeric region to form the partition complex, but its structure and formation remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that CTP binding enables ParB dimers to slide along DNA and condense the centromeric region through DNA bridges. Through simulations, researchers demonstrate that short-lived ParB bridges organize DNA into globular or helical structures, and ParB sliding reproduces the binding profile observed in Caulobacter crescentus. Combining sliding and bridging in a unified model, they find that short-lived ParB bridges do not impede sliding and can reproduce both the binding profile and condensation of the nucleoprotein complex.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fan Yang, Qiang Fu, Markus Antonietti
Summary: In recent years, the synthesis of artificial humic substances (A-HS) through alkaline hydrothermal processing of waste biomass has been described. These A-HS have shown to have various effects on soil, including water and mineral binding, soil structure alteration, inhibition of fertilizer mineralization, and promotion of plant growth. The observed macroscopic effects have been attributed to the stimulation of the microbiome, which plays a key role in this anthropogenic soil system. By understanding this complex system, it is possible to address global issues such as soil fertility, nutrition for a growing population, and climate change.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sara Molinari, Robert F. Tesoriero, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
Summary: The passage discusses the similar organization of biomaterials made by living systems and the growing interest in engineered living materials (ELMs) with tailored functions. It highlights the technologies still missing from the field of ELMs, such as designing novel matrix elements, producing and incorporating biominerals, and improving critical material properties. Overcoming these challenges will bring us closer to unlocking the potential and versatility of biomaterials in creating designer ELMs.
Article
Microbiology
Parul Pal, Malvika Modi, Shashank Ravichandran, Ragothaman M. Yennamalli, Richa Priyadarshini
Summary: Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) or histone-like proteins (HLPs) in bacteria play crucial roles in nucleoid organization and gene regulation. YbaB/EbfC family DNA-binding protein, characterized in Caulobacter crescentus, exhibits a tweezer-like structure and can compact DNA, potentially involved in bacterial chromosome structuring and gene regulation in C. crescentus. Our findings suggest that YbaB(Cc) is a small histone-like protein with non-specific DNA-binding abilities that protect DNA from enzymatic degradation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sun-Young Kang, Anaya Pokhrel, Sara Bratsch, Joey J. Benson, Seung-Oh Seo, Maureen B. Quin, Alptekin Aksan, Claudia Schmidt-Dannert
Summary: Engineered living materials (ELMs) are a rapidly growing research area that combines synthetic biology and material science methods. Researchers have engineered a resilient ELM biocomposite using Bacillus subtilis and secreted EutM proteins as self-assembling scaffold building blocks.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shuangjiang Yu, Hongcheng Sun, Yongguang Li, Shu Wei, Jiayun Xu, Junqiu Liu
Summary: The idea of using engineered bacteria as living therapeutic agents for treating various diseases has been proposed, with a focus on the importance of developing safe and effective treatment strategies. Hydrogels are seen as promising vehicles for delivering living bacterial therapeutics due to their adjustable properties, bioactivities, and ability to protect labile payloads. Current challenges and future prospects in the field are discussed, indicating that the significance of hydrogel-based living bacteria-mediated therapy is expected to increase with advancements in synthetic biology and biomaterials science.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laurelenn Hennaux, Amira Kohchtali, Hugo Balon, Jean-Yves Matroule, Catherine Michaux, Eric A. Perpete
Summary: The study on the roles of copper cations in biological systems and specific regulation mechanisms towards copper in organisms, focusing on the Pco system in bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, particularly on the structure and function of the PcoB protein. Experimental methods and spectroscopic techniques were used to analyze and construct a three-dimensional structure model of PcoB, revealing beta-barrel conformation with a N-terminal disordered chain.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hongze Chang, Feng Cai, Yan Zhang, Mingwei Jiang, Xiaolong Yang, Jin Qi, Lei Wang, Lianfu Deng, Wenguo Cui, Xiaodong Liu
Summary: This study constructs an injectable circRNA silencing-hydrogel microsphere to regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism balance and inhibit intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration in a nutrient-restricted microenvironment. The microspheres display good degradability, swellability, and injectability, and significantly promote ECM-related protein synthesis and inhibit ECM catabolism-related protease secretion. In a rat IVD nutrient-restricted model, local injection of the microspheres promotes ECM synthesis and restores NP tissue after 8 weeks.
Article
Biophysics
Vasiliy S. Chernyshev, Daniil Nozdriukhin, Roman Chuprov-Netochin, Ekaterina Tsydenzhapova, Marina Novoselova, Dmitry Gorin, Alexey Yashchenok
Summary: sEVs, with their exceptional properties, have attracted significant interest in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Researchers have found that deposition of sEVs onto polyelectrolyte-coated silica microparticles can enhance their uptake by cells, highlighting the important role of sEV membrane receptors in the interaction with cells.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Aretha Fiebig
Summary: In this study, the authors characterize HfaE, a localized surface protein with amyloid-like properties that plays a crucial role in anchoring the holdfast polysaccharide to the cell envelope. This research expands our understanding of the protein factors involved in attaching bacterial superglue to the cell surface.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wil V. Srubar
Summary: The field of engineered living materials (ELMs) at the intersection of synthetic biology and materials science has become a new, standalone discipline, where the fusion of bioengineering and classical materials science has led to significant breakthroughs in the synthesis of complex materials. However, the transdisciplinary nature and rapid growth of the field have made it challenging for holistic comprehension of achievements related to ELM tools, techniques, and applications across disciplines.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jovana Kaljevic, Terrens N. Saaki, Sander K. Govers, Ophelie Remy, Renske van Raaphorst, Thomas Lamot, Geraldine Laloux
Summary: Traditionally, the dynamics of chromosome replication and segregation have been studied in bacteria that divide by binary fission, but this study uses the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus as a model to investigate the non-binary processing of a circular chromosome, revealing a unique replication and distribution mechanism.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Carlos F. Guimaraes, Fernando Soto, Jie Wang, Demir Akin, Rui L. Reis, Utkan Demirci
Summary: Recent breakthroughs in biofabrication have led to practical applications in medicine and engineering, including developing biological models and precise methods for quantifying biological events, as well as manipulation and construction with bioassemblies.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elizabeth A. Delesky, Patrick E. Thomas, Marimikel Charrier, Jeffrey C. Cameron, Wil V. Srubar
Summary: The study investigated the influence of MpIBP on ice crystal growth and structure in nonphysiological pH environments. Results showed that MpIBP maintained stability in secondary structure and function within a certain pH range, demonstrating its potential utility in materials science and engineering applications outside of physiological conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor R. Mann, Francesca Manea, Nicholas J. Borys, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin, Bruce E. Cohen
Summary: The controlled patterning of nanoparticles on bioassemblies allows for the synthesis of complex materials for various applications. By using orthogonal bioconjugation reactions, photonic materials were synthesized on crystalline 2D protein sheets, enabling the simultaneous and controlled conjugation of multiple types of nanoparticles. This specific, stable, and efficient conjugation method facilitates the exploration of interactions between pairs of nanoparticles for the engineering of protein-based photonic nanomaterials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger M. Pallares, Marimikel Charrier, Sara Tejedor-Sanz, Dong Li, Paul D. Ashby, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin, Corie Y. Ralston, Rebecca J. Abergel
Summary: Rare-earth elements are essential for clean energy technologies, but their supply chain is at high risk of disruption. This study presents a synthetic biogenic material that mimics natural processes to extract lanthanides. The material demonstrates high affinity and selectivity for lanthanides, and the functionalized protein layers can be reused. These findings highlight the potential of biogenic materials in recovering critical elements from waste.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Swetha Sridhar, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin, Caroline A. Masiello
Summary: Microbial biosensors can sense and report environmental stimuli, but the persistence of the genetic circuit's microbial host, known as the chassis, is crucial for successful design and deployment. Model chassis organisms may not persist well in environmental conditions, while non-model organisms face challenges such as genetic intractability and part unavailability. Therefore, we propose a conceptual framework for the systematic selection of environmental biosensor chassis, considering ecological, metabolic, and genetic constraints.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joshua T. Atkinson, Lin Su, Xu Zhang, George N. Bennett, Jonathan J. Silberg, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
Summary: In this study, biosensors that produce electrical readouts with fast detection times were developed by combining synthetic biology and materials engineering. Escherichia coli were programmed to produce an electrical current in response to specific chemicals, allowing for rapid detection of thiosulfate and an endocrine disruptor. This new platform provides design rules for sensing various chemicals and offers a potential solution for safeguarding ecological and human health.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Molinari, Robert F. Tesoriero, Dong Li, Swetha Sridhar, Rong Cai, Jayashree Soman, Kathleen R. Ryan, Paul D. Ashby, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
Summary: Engineered living materials (ELMs) embed living cells in a biopolymer matrix to create novel materials with tailored functions. In this work, the authors engineered bacteria to grow novel macroscopic materials that can be reshaped, functionalized, and used to filter contaminated water while also showing that the stiffness of these materials can be tuned through genetic changes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joe G. Tolar, Siliang Li, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
Summary: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, a lactic acid bacterium commonly found in the human gut and fermented food products, was found to perform extracellular electron transfer (EET) with the presence of an exogenous quinone, DHNA, and riboflavin. The study identified multiple EET routes in L. plantarum that depend on the access to environmental biomolecules and on the electron acceptor. This research expands our understanding of EET in Gram-positive microbes and provides opportunities for biotechnological applications.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Swetha Sridhar, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin, Caroline A. Masiello
Summary: Microbial biosensors play a crucial role in sensing and reporting exposures to stimuli, aiding our understanding of environmental processes. However, selecting suitable microbial hosts, or chassis, for biosensors is a challenge. This study evaluates the ecological, metabolic, and genetic constraints for chassis development and proposes a conceptual framework for selecting environmental biosensor chassis.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sara Molinari, Robert F. Tesoriero, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
Summary: The passage discusses the similar organization of biomaterials made by living systems and the growing interest in engineered living materials (ELMs) with tailored functions. It highlights the technologies still missing from the field of ELMs, such as designing novel matrix elements, producing and incorporating biominerals, and improving critical material properties. Overcoming these challenges will bring us closer to unlocking the potential and versatility of biomaterials in creating designer ELMs.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xu Chen, Marimikel Charrier, Wil V. Srubar
Summary: This review discusses the grand challenges faced by civil engineers in the 21st century, such as climate change, infrastructure resilience, and resource recovery from waste, as well as the promising applications of biotechnology in the field.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2021)