Structural materials meet synthetic biology in biomedical applications
Xiaoxuan Zhang, Martin Fussenegger
Abstract
This review summarizes recent progress at the confluence of structural biomaterials research and synthetic biology, focusing on biomedical applications involving programmed mammalian cells and bacterial cells. Synthetic biology, which aims to build genetic circuits and bottom-up synthetic networks in microbial and mammalian cells, can benefit greatly from the bio-activity and encapsulation and delivery abilities of structural biomaterials, which can facilitate gene transfection and control of gene switches, as well as cell cultivation and transplantation. Conversely, genetically engineered cells can play roles in the synthesis and modification of structural biomaterials. We discuss the opportunities opened up by this multi-disciplinary interplay, as well as the challenges facing the application of these capabilities for the development of next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic tools.