Engineered Living Materials: Harnessing Biological Systems for Adaptive, Sustainable, and Multifunctional Platforms

Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) is a rapidly emerging field, converging synthetic biology, materials science, and systems biology. Unlike traditional static materials, ELMs incorporate living cells, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells from different domains, within engineered scaffolds or matrices to imbue materials with autonomous functionalities such as self-healing, environmental sensing, adaptive responses, energy generation, catalysis, and biomaterials production. By utilizing the programmability of biological systems, ELMs can dynamically interface with their surroundings, opening transformative opportunities in healthcare, environmental remediation, soft robotics, bioelectronics, chemical industry, and sustainable manufacturing.In the context of systems biology, the creation of ELMs goes along with the understanding of multiscale interrelations: gene regulatory networks and metabolic pathways with the embedded cells considering cell-cell and cell-material communication at micro and mesoscale, and the performance, adaptation, and lifecycle feedback loops at the system level. ELM requisites are being met with developments in synthetic gene circuits and biointerfaces, along with the emerging technologies of synthetic biology and biofabrication, providing spatiotemporal control of ELM properties and functions.The purpose of this Research Topic is to compile diverse contributions, from the basic principles, computational and experimental modelling, to the practical uses of ELMs and their translational technologies. We welcome original research, methods, and reviews that address (but are not limited to):• Design and optimization of genetic circuits for material functionality• Systems biology approaches for understanding and controlling cell-material dynamics• Biofabrication techniques for creating robust and adaptive ELM architectures• Computational modeling of ELMs and in silico-based discovery and testing approaches• Integration of ELMs into devices, sensors, actuators, and engineered environments• Life cycle analysis, biosafety, and ethical considerations in deploying ELMsBy bringing together diverse disciplines, this collection will showcase the state of the art in ELM research and highlight future directions toward living materials that are not only functional but also safe, sustainable, intelligent, and resilient. Topic editors: Monsur Islam, Chelsea Heveran, Andres Diaz Lantada, Carmelo De Maria Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75064/engineered-living-materials-harnessing-biological-systems-for-adaptive-sustainable-and-multifunctional-platforms