Evolving Synergy Between Synthetic and Biotic Elements in Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Bacteria Composite Improves Charge Transport and Mechanical Properties

Abstract gLiving materials can achieve unprecedented function by combining synthetic materials with the wide range of cellular functions. Of interest are situations where the critical properties of individual abiotic and biotic elements improve via their combination. For example, integrating electro...

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Main Authors: Samantha R. McCuskey, Glenn Quek, Ricardo Javier Vázquez, Binu Kundukad, Muhammad Hafiz Bin Ismail, Solange E. Astorga, Yan Jiang, Guillermo C. Bazan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-11-01
Series:Advanced Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405242
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author Samantha R. McCuskey
Glenn Quek
Ricardo Javier Vázquez
Binu Kundukad
Muhammad Hafiz Bin Ismail
Solange E. Astorga
Yan Jiang
Guillermo C. Bazan
author_facet Samantha R. McCuskey
Glenn Quek
Ricardo Javier Vázquez
Binu Kundukad
Muhammad Hafiz Bin Ismail
Solange E. Astorga
Yan Jiang
Guillermo C. Bazan
author_sort Samantha R. McCuskey
collection DOAJ
description Abstract gLiving materials can achieve unprecedented function by combining synthetic materials with the wide range of cellular functions. Of interest are situations where the critical properties of individual abiotic and biotic elements improve via their combination. For example, integrating electroactive bacteria into conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) hydrogels increases biocurrent production. One observes more efficient electrical charge transport within the CPE matrix in the presence of Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 and more current per cell is extracted, compared to traditional biofilms. Here, the origin of these synergistic effects are examined. Transcriptomics reveals that genes in S. oneidensis MR‐1 related to bacteriophages and energy metabolism are upregulated in the composite material. Fluorescent staining and rheological measurements before and after enzymatic treatment identified the importance of extracellular biomaterials in increasing matrix cohesion. The synergy between CPE and S. oneidensis MR‐1 thus arises from initially unanticipated changes in matrix composition and bacteria adaption within the synthetic environment.
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spelling doaj-art-57c5a41feafe4db985f19ff1d1bdba712025-08-20T03:52:43ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442024-11-011142n/an/a10.1002/advs.202405242Evolving Synergy Between Synthetic and Biotic Elements in Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Bacteria Composite Improves Charge Transport and Mechanical PropertiesSamantha R. McCuskey0Glenn Quek1Ricardo Javier Vázquez2Binu Kundukad3Muhammad Hafiz Bin Ismail4Solange E. Astorga5Yan Jiang6Guillermo C. Bazan7Department of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering National University of Singapore Singapore 119077 SingaporeDepartment of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering National University of Singapore Singapore 119077 SingaporeInstitute for Functional Intelligent Materials (I‐FIM) National University of Singapore Singapore 117544 SingaporeSingapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637551 SingaporeSingapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637551 SingaporeSingapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637551 SingaporeDepartment of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering National University of Singapore Singapore 119077 SingaporeDepartment of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering National University of Singapore Singapore 119077 SingaporeAbstract gLiving materials can achieve unprecedented function by combining synthetic materials with the wide range of cellular functions. Of interest are situations where the critical properties of individual abiotic and biotic elements improve via their combination. For example, integrating electroactive bacteria into conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) hydrogels increases biocurrent production. One observes more efficient electrical charge transport within the CPE matrix in the presence of Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 and more current per cell is extracted, compared to traditional biofilms. Here, the origin of these synergistic effects are examined. Transcriptomics reveals that genes in S. oneidensis MR‐1 related to bacteriophages and energy metabolism are upregulated in the composite material. Fluorescent staining and rheological measurements before and after enzymatic treatment identified the importance of extracellular biomaterials in increasing matrix cohesion. The synergy between CPE and S. oneidensis MR‐1 thus arises from initially unanticipated changes in matrix composition and bacteria adaption within the synthetic environment.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405242abiotic/biotic interfacebioelectrochemical systemsconductive polymer hydrogelselectroactive bacteriaengineered living materialsextracellular polymeric substances
spellingShingle Samantha R. McCuskey
Glenn Quek
Ricardo Javier Vázquez
Binu Kundukad
Muhammad Hafiz Bin Ismail
Solange E. Astorga
Yan Jiang
Guillermo C. Bazan
Evolving Synergy Between Synthetic and Biotic Elements in Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Bacteria Composite Improves Charge Transport and Mechanical Properties
Advanced Science
abiotic/biotic interface
bioelectrochemical systems
conductive polymer hydrogels
electroactive bacteria
engineered living materials
extracellular polymeric substances
title Evolving Synergy Between Synthetic and Biotic Elements in Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Bacteria Composite Improves Charge Transport and Mechanical Properties
title_full Evolving Synergy Between Synthetic and Biotic Elements in Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Bacteria Composite Improves Charge Transport and Mechanical Properties
title_fullStr Evolving Synergy Between Synthetic and Biotic Elements in Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Bacteria Composite Improves Charge Transport and Mechanical Properties
title_full_unstemmed Evolving Synergy Between Synthetic and Biotic Elements in Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Bacteria Composite Improves Charge Transport and Mechanical Properties
title_short Evolving Synergy Between Synthetic and Biotic Elements in Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Bacteria Composite Improves Charge Transport and Mechanical Properties
title_sort evolving synergy between synthetic and biotic elements in conjugated polyelectrolyte bacteria composite improves charge transport and mechanical properties
topic abiotic/biotic interface
bioelectrochemical systems
conductive polymer hydrogels
electroactive bacteria
engineered living materials
extracellular polymeric substances
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405242
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