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We develop skin-inspired engineered living materials for everyday
Nextskins ELM 1
Living Theurapatic Materials for Skin
Living Regenerative Materials for Protective Applications
Nextskins ELM 2
This is what we are working on:
We are generating novel living materials based on a grown matrix hosting engineered multicellular consortia that build and functionalise these different layers. Spatiotemporal patterning is realised by genetic control and the physicochemical properties of cells and biomolecules.
As a powerful strategy to accelerate the adoption of our living materials in society, we will systematically involve the potential end- users and designers in our research for the materials and product development to happen in synergy.
Living Therapeutic Material (LTM)
Our living therapeutic material is designed to be used as a wearable patch for the dynamic and responsive treatment of skin-based disorders. At its core is a hydrated layer of nanocellulose produced from safe bacteria and containing living yeast cells that respond to diffusible cues. Its top layer will consist of hydrophobic proteins and other biomolecules produced by yeasts that form an external barrier to prevent the material dehydrating when being worn.
The bottom layer is designed to interact with the wearer’s skin and their skin microbiome, containing computationally designed proteins that release signal factors to the material core when they encounter destructive enzymes like those seen during skin microbiome disorders. The three-layer material is designed to be grown from a community of engineered yeast and bacteria that are typically found in kombucha brewing. We plan to demonstrate this as a therapeutic material for treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Living Regenerative Material (LRM)
The Living Regenerative Material (LRM) is a solid composite material with high toughness and impact resistant qualities. LRM shows multifold advantages over traditional inert materials (ceramics, plastics) in protective garments. It is designed such that it can regenerate itself and achieve local self-reinforcement in mechanically stressed regions, a unique property compared to current materials and other engineered living materials (ELMs).
Further, it is based on a sustainable fabrication method, and consists of fully biocompatible nontoxic components. It is composed of biomineralized biopolymers hosting bacterial spores. The core of the LRM is arranged in microscale layers of minerals, reminiscent of the highly tough biominerals in nature (nacre, bone, dentin). LRM is encapsulated in an activator shell, engineered to prevent water penetration and to memorize local mechanical experience, providing the local self-reinforcement.
