Nanobiohybrids: Materials approaches for bioaugmentation

Abstract

Nanobiohybrids, synthesized by integrating functional nanomaterials with living systems, have emerged as an exciting branch of research at the interface of materials engineering and biological science. Nanobiohybrids use synthetic nanomaterials to impart organisms with emergent properties outside their scope of evolution. Consequently, they endow new or augmented properties that are either innate or exogenous, such as enhanced tolerance against stress, programmed metabolism and proliferation, artificial photosynthesis, or conductivity. Advances in new materials design and processing technologies made it possible to tailor the physicochemical properties of the nanomaterials coupled with the biological systems. To date, many different types of nanomaterials have been integrated with various biological systems from simple biomolecules to complex multicellular organisms. Here, we provide a critical overview of recent developments of nanobiohybrids that enable new or augmented biological functions that show promise in high-tech applications across many disciplines, including energy harvesting, biocatalysis, biosensing, medicine, and robotics.

Multi‐enzyme Cascade Reactions in Metal‐organic Frameworks

“…[58] By integrating living cells with functional nanomaterials, nanobiohybrids have inspired great research interest in the field of biological science and materials engineering. [81][82][83] Therefore, multi-enzyme in MOFs may impart cells with augmented or even completely new biological properties.…”

“…Diverse biochemical reactions are driven by multi‐enzyme cascades taken place in cells to support cellular metabolism, growth and survival . By integrating living cells with functional nanomaterials, nanobiohybrids have inspired great research interest in the field of biological science and materials engineering . Therefore, multi‐enzyme in MOFs may impart cells with augmented or even completely new biological properties.…”

Ultraconformable, Self‐Adhering Surface Electrodes for Measuring Electrical Signals in Plants

“…In addition, a different field, that tries to make use of the intrinsic functions of plants such as sensing, communication, growth, mechanical structure from a technological perspective for applications in robotics, energy harvesting, biosensing, and architecture is the research on biohybrid devices and biohybrid robotics. [ 18–27 ] A starting point for interfacing plants with reliable electronic components that adapt to the plant could indeed lead to systems that use the stimulus‐responsive electrical signals from a technological perspective. [ 9,28 ] Different thin‐layer sensors and electronic systems based on materials like conductive polymers and graphene operating on the plant surface have been developed for measuring for example humidity or concentrations of certain biomolecules with great potential for agricultural monitoring.…”

Chitosan-Based Functional Materials for Skin Wound Repair: Mechanisms and Applications

“…The modification of hydrogels with cells and bioactive molecules like growth factors has drawn attention due to its ability to accelerate wound healing by inducing intracellular signaling and stimulating the synthesis of skin repair-related proteins ( Guo et al, 2020 ).…”