Lynn M Sidor, Michelle M Beaulieu, Ilia Rasskazov, B Cansu Acarturk, Jie Ren, Emerson Jenen, Lycka Kamoen, María Vázquez Vitali, P Scott Carney, Greg R Schmidt, Wil V Srubar, Elio A Abbondanzieri, Anne S Meyer
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cutting-edge photonic devices frequently rely on microparticle components to focus and manipulate light. Conventional methods used to produce these microparticle components frequently offer limited control of their structural properties or require low-throughput nanofabrication of more complex structures. Here, we employ a synthetic biology approach to produce environmentally friendly, living microlenses with tunable structural properties. We engineered Escherichia coli bacteria to display the silica biomineralization enzyme silicatein from aquatic sea sponges. Our silicatein-expressing bacteria can self-assemble a shell of polysilicate "bioglass" around themselves. Remarkably, the polysilicate-encapsulated bacteria can focus light into intense nanojets that are nearly an order of magnitude brighter than unmodified bacteria. Polysilicate-encapsulated bacteria are metabolically active for up to 4 mo, potentially allowing them to sense and respond to stimuli over time. Our data demonstrate that synthetic biology offers a pathway for producing inexpensive and durable photonic components that exhibit unique optical properties.
期刊介绍:
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer-reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), serves as an authoritative source for high-impact, original research across the biological, physical, and social sciences. With a global scope, the journal welcomes submissions from researchers worldwide, making it an inclusive platform for advancing scientific knowledge.