Programming Bacteria for Materials Fabrication
Abstract
Traditional methods of materials fabrication have been very successful, but they have some limitations. They require harsh reaction conditions, have a negative impact on the environment and health, and are energy inefficient. Increasingly, emphasis is being placed on the development of new strategies for materials fabrication that draw inspiration from biological processes, which operate under benign conditions and at low cost. Such research has led to the concept of ~biofabrication~ - the fabrication and production of materials under biological means. To date, biofabrication efforts have focused largely on the use of biomolecules (e.g. DNA and genetically engineered peptides) to generate materials through self-assembly. However, studies have shown the potential of bacteria to generate useful materials. For example, many bacteria can precipitate metals from solution by forming nanoparticles that have physical properties comparable to those derived from conventional methods. These include the sulfide crystals of silver, iron, and cadmium. Additionally, bacteria can be used for the replication of bacteriophages that have been genetically modified to generate novel materials such as a cathodic battery material. In FY2012, the ONR 342 Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology Program supported this Principal Investigator and his collaborator to initiate a project to investigate the use of synthetic biology to program bacteria to generate self-organized patterns and then to use the engineered bacteria to produce specific enzymes for the fabrication of functional materials. As a proof-of-principle, the effort focused on the generation of cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films, which have potential for energy applications. Project achievements include demonstration of the robust programming of bacterial pattern formation; development of an inkjet-printing technique to facilitate the patterning process; demonstration of the bacterial synthesis of CdS nanoparticles with technically important, tunable properties; and establishment of additional effector genes for materials assembly, specifically curli-mediated materials assembly (curli is part of the extracellular matrix produced by many bacteria). Building on that foundation, the research team will pursue the following aims in this proposed effort: (1) optimization of the inkjet printing technique and the gene circuits to generate predictable patterns of gene expression on membranes with various physical properties; (2) extension and optimization of the precipitation conditions for controlled, extracellular CdS nanoparticle precipitation on membrane supports; (3) optimization of curli-mediated materials assembly; and (4) generation of functional, patterned inorganic materials by integrating the pattern formation circuit and effector components. If successful, the result will be a general platform that enables the environmentally friendly fabrication of nanostructured materials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 26, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141512508
Entities
People
- Lingchong You
Organizations
- Duke University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy