Hybrid Living Capsules Autonomously Produced by Engineered Bacteria

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has excellent material properties and can be produced sustainably through simple bacterial culture, but BC‐producing bacteria lack the extensive genetic toolkits of model organisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). Here, a simple approach is reported for producing highly programmable BC materials through incorporation of engineered E. coli. The acetic acid bacterium Gluconacetobacter hansenii is cocultured with engineered E. coli in droplets of glucose‐rich media to produce robust cellulose capsules, which are then colonized by the E. coli upon transfer to selective lysogeny broth media. It is shown that the encapsulated E. coli can produce engineered protein nanofibers within the cellulose matrix, yielding hybrid capsules capable of sequestering specific biomolecules from the environment and enzymatic catalysis. Furthermore, capsules are produced which can alter their own bulk physical properties through enzyme‐induced biomineralization. This novel system uses a simple fabrication process, based on the autonomous activity of two bacteria, to significantly expand the functionality of BC‐based living materials.

3D Bioprinting of Microbial-based Living Materials for Advanced Energy and Environmental Applications

“…On the basis of previous research, E. coli such as E. coli MG 1655, , E. coli BL 21, ,, and E. coli DH5α, , are the most commonly used strains as functional components of bioinks. Besides, E. coli MC 1061, E. coli JM 109, and E. coli MRR have also been reported as bioink components.…”

Progress in Sustainable Polymers from Biological Matter

“…BC was distributed throughout the hybrid material instead of concentrating at the air-medium interface, while varying the component ratio influenced the microalgae distribution. Similarly, Birnbaum et al (65) designed a bacterial coculture of a BC-producing strain, Gluconacetobacter hansenii, and genetically engineered E. coli to produce unique composite capsules. By using droplets of growth media, a BC matrix was formed on the droplet surface while intertwined bacteria cells and curli fibers remained at the core of the produced spheres.…”

Mechanically Tunable, Compostable, Healable and Scalable Engineered Living Materials

“…22-31 ELMs that are mechanically stiff or soft have also been reported but the rational modulation of mechanical properties to a wide range through genetic programming remains elusive. 5,6,9-11,25,32 In this regard, we present a new ELM called MECHS that is fabricated at ambient conditions by a new method that comprises of genetic encoding, tailoring of mechanical properties, scalable production, healability and compostability ( Figure 1 ).…”