Posted on 11/28/2021 7:46:38 AM PST by BenLurkin
For several years, microbial engineers have been working to develop a means to create living materials for use in a wide variety of applications such as medical devices. But getting such materials to conform to desired 3D structures has proven to be a daunting task. In this new effort, the researchers have taken a new approach to tackling the problem—engineering Escherichia coli to produce a product that can be used as the basis for an ink for use in a 3D printer.
The work began by bioengineering the bacteria to produce living nanofibers. The researchers then bundled the fibers and added other ingredients to produce a type of living ink that could be used in a conventional 3D printer. Once they found the concept viable, the team bioengineered other microbes to produce other types of living fibers or materials and added them to the ink. They then used the ink to print 3D objects that had living components. One was a material that secreted azurin—an anticancer drug—when stimulated by certain chemicals. Another was a material that sequestered Bisphenol A (a toxin that has found its way into the environment) without assistance from other chemicals or devices.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
At the camps, they will tattoo you with a serial number that secretes COVID boosters. So, you’ll be fine. Sort of. Kind of. Not really.
E. coli?
Sure hope it’s not Mexican.
Now robotic police dogs can be spray painted with doggy fur cells so they look real. It might me called a FIDO - Furry Ink Delivery Operation.
Before this thread goes completely to the dogs, I want to say Good Post to BenLurkin.
Bob keeps writing ‘living’. I wonder if he means ‘organic’?
Clothes made from “living nanofibers”?
Just what I want…clothes that will decide to kill me.
Oh? YOU ,mean I can write “1967 Corvette Stingray” and the car will be there when the ink dries?
Thats cool!
Nice post....very cutting edge.
Why does this self-assembly of living fibers bring “gray goo” to mind?
In a time when man is at total war against God and all morality, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG ?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.