Programmable Biofilm Growth

Can we grow, shape and tune the properties and function of structural biological materials, such as cellulose biofilms? 

The basic interaction module in this project is  with the natural assembly of cellulose nanofibers from sugar molecules into fiber bundles, then into layered  films. We interact by introducing new plasmid DNA to functionalize biofilm, by regulating the growth environment both physically (shaping the biofilm in 3D) and chemically (tuning material properties) , and by building a digital interface to regulate and time the growth process. 

Current materials and manufacturing processes often lack the adaptability and environmental responsiveness which are abundant in biological systems and are necessary for climate adaptive architecture and products. This project addresses this challenge by exploring the potential of bacterial cellulose, a biomaterial produced by bacteria Gluconacetobacter xylinus. 

We move beyond existing biofabrication methods with a multiscale design process we call  “Guided Growth,” which operates at three key scales, granting us unprecedented control over bacterial cellulose growth.  At the nano-scale, we use synthetic biology tools to program  living cells to respond to specific environmental cues. At the meso-scale, we develop workflows to cultivate, shape, and harvest living-nonliving biofilms while maintaining cell viability. This enables the creation of biomaterials with desired shapes and functionalities. Finally, the macro-scale utilizes a bio-computational interface designed using digital fabrication tools. This interface allows the designer to interact with the process of growth by controlling nutrient flow and regulating environmental conditions. 

This project contributes to the development of  biobased,  responsive, and context-interactive materials and products. Programmed biofilms will have the desirable attributes of biological systems, namely integrated energy production and waste management. Grown materials will eliminate the need of traditional manufacturing, such as the need for transport and assembly of parts, as well as energy-intensive manufacturing processes.  In addition, the ability to embed and sustain biological functions in living materials, such as  bacterial cellulose biofilms, gives opportunity to design a new generation of interactive products and materials that can self-heal, diagnose health, detect pathogens, trap toxins, correct stress, process waste, communicate, and generate energy.