Biofabrication of Bacteria-Based Biohybrid Devices and Self-Folded 3D Hydrogels

Biofabrication involves the use of biological or bioactive elements as building blocks to manufacture advanced biological models, therapeutic products and non-medical biological systems. In this work, we describe the use of biofabrication in constructing bacteria-based biohybrid devices for diagnostics and therapeutics and in creating self-folded, three-dimensional hydrogels for cell and tissue engineering. Bacteria are ideal candidates for use in diagnostics and therapeutics on account of their small sizes, their ability to respond to stimuli, convert chemical energy to motion, swim and grow naturally in inaccessible regions of the body as well as their ability to be genetically engineered to produce products of interest or exhibit desired characteristics. Recent advances in micro/nanofabrication technologies have resulted in the generation of particles, structures and devices for use in diagnostics and therapeutics. This work describes the interfacing of bacteria with micro/nano particles, structures or devices to construct biohybrid devices that combine the advantages of both bacteria and the devices. The utility of the bacteria-based biohybrid devices in diagnostic and therapeutic applications will be presented. In nature, cells and tissues exist in precise 3D shapes and geometries that dictate their function. A few techniques exist for patterning cells and tissues in 3D. Of these, hydrogels are particularly attractive on account of their high water content, ease of diffusion of oxygen, nutrients, waste and soluble factors and they can be synthesized to be biocompatible. This work will describe the creation of self-folded 3D hydrogels and their utility in cell and tissue engineering.