Living Manufacture Engineered Living Fabrication (ELF) for Next-Gen Biomaterials
The Living Manufacture project introduces a novel approach to fabricating biologically derived materials through an Engineered Living Fabrication (ELF) system. By integrating genetically engineered microbes, customised hardware, and advanced computational software, the project aims to produce cellulose materials with tuneable properties. The ELF system leverages bacterial cellulose as a fundamental building material, which is grown and modified through synthetic biology, facilitating a bio-manufacturing process that is both innovative and sustainable.
The essence of this approach lies in "printing" functions directly into the material rather than simply shaping it. This is achieved through controlled self-assembly at multiple optimisation levels: wetware (biological engineering), hardware (custom bioreactors), and software (computational control and simulation). Each aspect plays a distinct role in enhancing and refining the growth and functionalisation of the cellulose material.
In this sample, we present a unique melanised bacterial cellulose, exemplifying new possibilities for engineered pattern variation and controlled bacterial expression in grown materials. The piece showcases a novel approach to biofabrication. Unlike conventional dyeing methods, the bacterial cellulose here is self-pigmented through an intricate co-culture of Komagataeibacter xylinus and Escherichia coli, which allows melanin, a natural pigment, to develop directly within the cellulose structure. This living material not only grows but also produces its own deep, rich colour organically, resulting in a naturally pigmented material that maintains its vivid tones from inception.
As a part of a larger installation, this piece serves as a glimpse into a future of sustainable material innovation. The Living Manufacture project pushes the boundaries of biofabrication by offering a method to create environmentally integrated, coloured materials that bypass traditional post-processing. This process not only enriches the aesthetic potential of biofabricated materials but also marks a transformative shift towards functional, self-pigmented living materials.
Team:
Dr. Katie Gilmour, Liv Tsim, Dr. Thora Arnardottir, Prof. Meng Zhang & Prof. Martyn Dade-Robertson
Living Construction Group, Northumbria University, UK
More Info:
website
@livingconstruction.hbbe
