CSP -Foundry for Synthetic Biomaterials - A New Paradigm for Materials from Biology.
Abstract
Modern methods in synthetic biology are providing exciting opportunities to develop novel biomaterials or materials from biology including those inspired by biology (e.g. the dragline of spider silk which has a greater tensile strength than steel and the protein-sugar glue that holds limpets to rocks is stronger in water than is any synthetic adhesive) in particular natural small molecules and proteins that can provide materials with new properties. Synthetic biology and the application of informed design engineering principles now allows us to make many millions of controlled variations of these proteins in parallel and to assemble them in combinatorial fashion for materials synthesis that opens up access to novel properties that will define a new paradigm in biomaterials discovery and exploitation. Applying synthetic biology to the production of novel materials is a high-risk approach with high disruptive potential which will require the complete integration of multidisciplinary technology platforms into a Living Foundry for Synthetic Biomaterials in a way that has previously not been realised in any Centre around the globe. Such an approach depends critically on innovation and integration of emerging technologies with wide opportunities and predicted benefits that cut across disciplines and sectors (e.g. civilian and military). Examples of potential applications include: smaller, lighter power sources (e.g. batteries), including energy harvesting; control of corrosion and wear; disclosure of fatigue, tamper-evident materials, self-cleaning and self-healing materials; and lightweight-but-strong materials or coatings.The objective of the proposed workshop is to develop a roadmap for the development of infrastructure and expertise for the discovery, assembly and integration of widely diverse biomaterials and their composites, and the establishment of revolutionary new ways for biomaterials production and evaluation. The event will bring together leading scientists as discussion leaders to assist in the development of a roadmap and report that defines the challenges and opportunities that synthetic biology brings to the materials arena.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2017
- Source ID
- N629091712052
Entities
People
- Nigel Scrutton
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Manchester