title: Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials.
abstract: We have developed an abiotic-biotic interface that allows engineered cells to control the material properties of a functionalized surface. This system is made by creating two modules: a synthetically engineered strain of E. coli cells and a functionalized material interface. Within this paper, we detail a protocol for genetically engineering selected behaviors within a strain of E. coli using molecular cloning strategies. Once developed, this strain produces elevated levels of biotin when exposed to a chemical inducer. Additionally, we detail protocols for creating two different functionalized surfaces, each of which is able to respond to cell-synthesized biotin. Taken together, we present a methodology for creating a linked, abiotic-biotic system that allows engineered cells to control material composition and assembly on nonliving substrates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University; Engineering Science and Mechanics Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
authors.forename: Keith C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Heyde
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
authors.forename: Felicia Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
authors.forename: Sung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Paek
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
authors.forename: Ruihua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh; warrenr@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Warren C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ruder
mesh_terms: D060846:Cell Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology*; D058615:Synthetic Biology / Q000379:methods*