Rice University researchers have unveiled groundbreaking insights into customizing engineered living materials (ELMs). Their study, published in a special issue of ACS Synthetic Biology, delves into innovative sequence-structure-property relationships, paving the way for enhanced control over these materials’ structure and behavior under deformation forces like stretching or compression.
Engineering Protein Matrices for Precise Control
The Rice University team focused on modifying protein matrices within ELMs by introducing minor genetic changes. This approach yielded significant differences in material behavior, opening new avenues in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and 3D printing of living devices.
According to Professor Caroline Ajo-Franklin, “We are engineering cells to create customizable materials with unique properties. While synthetic biology has provided tools to tweak these traits, the relationship between genetic sequence, material structure, and behavior was previously underexplored.”
The Role of Caulobacter Crescentus in Material Engineering
The researchers employed synthetic biology techniques with Caulobacter crescentus bacteria, which had been engineered to produce BUD proteins. These proteins facilitated cell aggregation, forming supportive matrices that enable bacteria to grow into centimeter-sized structures known as BUD-ELMs.
Modulating Material Properties Through Protein Segments
The team experimented with the length of specific protein segments called elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) to create distinct ELM variants. They examined the original midlength BUD-ELM and two new variants, each exhibiting unique properties.
First, BUD40 had shorter ELPs, resulting in thicker fibers and a stiffer bulk material. Second, BUD60, featuring midlength ELPs, combined globules and fibers to produce the strongest material under deformation stress. Lastly, BUD80 contained longer ELPs, generating thinner fibers and a less stiff material prone to breaking under deformation stress.
Advanced imaging and mechanical tests confirmed these differences impacted stress response and flow dynamics. For instance, BUD60‘s strength and adaptability make it suitable for 3D printing or drug delivery.
Shared Characteristics and Future Applications
Regardless of their distinct properties, all three materials demonstrated shear-thinning behavior and a high water content, approximately 93% of their weight. These traits render them ideal for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds or controlled drug delivery systems.
According to graduate student Esther Jimenez, “This study marks one of the first to construct living materials from the ground up with tailored mechanical properties, rather than merely incorporating biological functions.”
The potential applications extend beyond healthcare. These self-assembling systems could be utilized for environmental cleanup or renewable energy initiatives like creating biodegradable structures or utilizing natural processes for energy generation.
Implications for Future Research
Senior Carlson Nguyen highlighted the significance of understanding sequence-structure-property relationships. “By identifying how specific genetic modifications affect material properties, we’re laying the groundwork for designing next-generation living materials,” he stated.
This project received support from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, and the Welch Foundation.
Conclusion
Rice University’s findings offer substantial advancements in engineered living materials. By establishing these crucial relationships, researchers are poised to unlock new possibilities in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and other innovative applications.
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