Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough in synthetic biology, genetically modifying proteins to create engineered living materials (ELMs) with specific properties. The team, led by Esther Jimenez, manipulated the protein sequences of the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus to create fibers with varying strengths and dexterities. The resulting material is composed of approximately 93% water, making it suitable for tissue engineering applications. This study is significant as it focuses on designing materials with tailored mechanical properties from the ground up, rather than simply adding biological functions.
The potential applications of this research are vast, including biomedical uses such as drug delivery and 3D printing of living organisms, as well as environmental applications like renewable energy and cleanup. The team’s findings have implications for the development of ELMs, which could revolutionize various industries. According to Jimenez, “By making small tweaks to protein sequences, we’ve gained valuable insights into how to design materials with specific mechanical properties.” The future of synthetic biology in ELMs is promising, and this research is just the beginning of a new era in materials science.