Design the Future 2: Thinking Soils: Engineered bacteria as computational agents in the design and manufacture of new materials and structures
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Architect, Planning & Landscape
Abstract
The proposal anticipates a new era of fabrication driven by Synthetic Biology and our ability to manipulate living organisms to make new materials and structures. We are also going beyond the usual application domains of Synthetic Biology by applying it to Civil Engineering, expanding design methods and opening up a new area of Engineering Design.
To achieve this we will develop a living material which can respond to physical forces in its environment through the synthesis of strengthening materials. This concept is partly biomimetic inspired by for example the way in which our bones strengthen, becoming more dense under repeated load. However, we are also proposing to buid this system using living bacteria cells which have no such functional requirement in nature.
Imagine a hydrogel (jelly) containing billions of engineered bacteria. A weight is placed on top of the jelly and, as it is loaded the bacteria in the material sense the mechanical changes in their environment and begin to induce mineral crystals to form. As they make this material the jelly stiffens and strengthens to resist the load. By the end of this project we will be able to demonstrate this principle creating an entirely novel living material. We are working with project partners from across industry and academia to develop this proof of concept and to investigate the broad applications of such a technology to, for example, create self constructing building foundations and make large scale structures where it is very difficult to build using traditional buildings and materials.
To achieve this we will develop a living material which can respond to physical forces in its environment through the synthesis of strengthening materials. This concept is partly biomimetic inspired by for example the way in which our bones strengthen, becoming more dense under repeated load. However, we are also proposing to buid this system using living bacteria cells which have no such functional requirement in nature.
Imagine a hydrogel (jelly) containing billions of engineered bacteria. A weight is placed on top of the jelly and, as it is loaded the bacteria in the material sense the mechanical changes in their environment and begin to induce mineral crystals to form. As they make this material the jelly stiffens and strengthens to resist the load. By the end of this project we will be able to demonstrate this principle creating an entirely novel living material. We are working with project partners from across industry and academia to develop this proof of concept and to investigate the broad applications of such a technology to, for example, create self constructing building foundations and make large scale structures where it is very difficult to build using traditional buildings and materials.
Planned Impact
This project will a significant impact across both academia and industry with the potential to develop a new field of
engineering design. Where digital technologies were transformative in the 20th century, the 21st century is likely to be
transformed through biotechnologies and fields such as synthetic biology. This project proposes bridging the gap between
the design of biological systems at the molecular scale and the design of material structures at the scale of the human built
environment. We showed in our pilot project that the project is likely to attract commercial and public interest and our impact strategy reflects this.
The project has assembled an emerging network of academic institutions and commercial and application organisations including:
- ARUP who are interested on the implications of biotechnologies for civil engineering design and processes.
- NASA, who have an interest in new technologies for constructing in extraterrestrial environments where traditional building methods are not possible.
- Powerbetter who are interested in our system for the development of soil improvement methods.
In addition to academic publications and a dissemination strategy which includes media coverage, therefore, the project proposes to:
- Generate Data to add to open access repositories including the MIT run Registry of Standard Biological Parts and the
Newcastle University run Registry of Standard Virtual parts. In addition the project will create a new web based resource to
bring the work together by:
-Disseminating the research through a high profile public exhibition and symposium to take place at the Design Museum in London.
-Developing visual material and for enhanced press release which will (following the success of the pilot) act as a catalyst to initiate public debate on the project.
engineering design. Where digital technologies were transformative in the 20th century, the 21st century is likely to be
transformed through biotechnologies and fields such as synthetic biology. This project proposes bridging the gap between
the design of biological systems at the molecular scale and the design of material structures at the scale of the human built
environment. We showed in our pilot project that the project is likely to attract commercial and public interest and our impact strategy reflects this.
The project has assembled an emerging network of academic institutions and commercial and application organisations including:
- ARUP who are interested on the implications of biotechnologies for civil engineering design and processes.
- NASA, who have an interest in new technologies for constructing in extraterrestrial environments where traditional building methods are not possible.
- Powerbetter who are interested in our system for the development of soil improvement methods.
In addition to academic publications and a dissemination strategy which includes media coverage, therefore, the project proposes to:
- Generate Data to add to open access repositories including the MIT run Registry of Standard Biological Parts and the
Newcastle University run Registry of Standard Virtual parts. In addition the project will create a new web based resource to
bring the work together by:
-Disseminating the research through a high profile public exhibition and symposium to take place at the Design Museum in London.
-Developing visual material and for enhanced press release which will (following the success of the pilot) act as a catalyst to initiate public debate on the project.
Organisations
- Newcastle University (Lead Research Organisation)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- University of Cape Town (Collaboration)
- Weizmann Institute of Science (Collaboration)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Project Partner)
- University of Waterloo (Project Partner)
- University of California, Berkeley (Project Partner)
- Delft University of Technology (Project Partner)
- Cornell University (Project Partner)
- Powerbetter Environmental Processes (Project Partner)
- Arup Group (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Wang J
(2024)
A Numerical Bio-Geotechnical Model of Pressure-Responsive Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation
in Applied Sciences
Rodriguez Corral J
(2020)
Agarose gel as a soil analogue for development of advanced bio-mediated soil improvement methods
in Canadian Geotechnical Journal
Rodriguez Corral J
(2018)
Agarose Gel as a Soil Analogue for Novel Ground Improvement Applications
Misirli G
(2020)
SBOL Visual 2 Ontology.
in ACS synthetic biology
McLaughlin JA
(2020)
The Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL) Version 3: Simplified Data Exchange for Bioengineering.
in Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology
Haystead J
(2024)
Effect of (in)organic additives on microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation
in Journal of Applied Microbiology
Guyet A
(2018)
Mild hydrostatic pressure triggers oxidative responses in Escherichia coli.
in PloS one
González-Cabaleiro R
(2017)
Heterogeneity in Pure Microbial Systems: Experimental Measurements and Modeling
in Frontiers in Microbiology
Gilmour KA
(2024)
Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation through CO2 sequestration via an engineered Bacillus subtilis.
in Microbial cell factories
Dade-Robertson Martyn
(2020)
Living Construction
Title | Can we Grow a City? Video for the Venice Biennale |
Description | The video featured a number of projects including the Thinking Soils project as part of a curated Virtual Design exhibition for the Venice Biennale. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Impact | Contact and collaboration network has developed - esp. in China. Our exhibit was curated by academics at Tsinghua University. |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGa4Mm6aLkY&t=51s |
Title | Catalytic Cell & Bacteria Sculpting. Exhibited at Global Community Biosummit. MIT Media Lab, Boston, USA. (October 11-13, 2019). |
Description | Materials and a novel bioreactor produced from the Thinking Soils project developed into exhibitable material an exhibition at this Summit, The Summit included industry professionals as well as DIY Bio Community, Students and Academics. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | Invitation to enter teh Bio Design Challenge in 2020. Followup with a number of interested parties in the US. |
URL | https://www.biosummit.org |
Title | Water Kiln |
Description | A sculpture using biomioneralizaton to cement sand grains using a fabric holds and a passive soaking process. The resulting sculpture is a column with tiles suspended on an aluminium frame. |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2024 |
Impact | Exhibition opened with 50+ invited guests including industry p[artners from construction. This will be used to discuss further EPSRC grants - which are currently in process. |
Title | Yggdrasil. Exhibited at the Biodesign: Here Now. London Design Festival 2019. OpenCell, London. (September 19-22, 2019) |
Description | Exhibition of Materials and Novel Bioreactors produced as part of the London Design Festival in collaboration with Open Cell. The exhibition will have been seen by more than 1000 people across two days. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | Invitation to collaborate on a joint project on biomineralization with UCL. |
URL | https://www.londondesignfestival.com/event/biodesign-here-now-2 |
Description | We have established a number of new Methods for: 1 Cementing Sand Using MICP (Microbial Calcium Carbonate Precipitation) Bacterial 2 Imaging and assessing the affects of bacterial growth and calcium carbonate precipitation in hydrogels. 3 Establishing key principles in the regulation of Urease in Bacteria. 4 Early data on the affects of low levels of elevated pressure on gene expression in B. Subtilis. 5 Development of New Types of Bio-reactor and testing vessels for analysing bacterial under load in soil like environments. |
Exploitation Route | To early to tell at the moment but we envisage a number of application in building construction as well as any areas interested in the development of responsive biomaterials. We have also had some interest from Design Creative professionals looking for new material systems and novel forms of fabrication. |
Sectors | Construction Creative Economy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
URL | http://www.synbio.construction |
Description | Project, featured alongside other projects on the BBCs Click technology program as part of the 'Sustainability' special. |
Description | Design the Future 2: Thinking Soils: Engineered bacteria as computational agents in the design and manufacture of new materials and structures |
Amount | £598,309 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R003629/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2017 |
End | 10/2022 |
Description | Expanding Excellence in England (E3): The Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment |
Amount | £8,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Department | Research England |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2019 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | FLAIR Collaboration Grants |
Amount | £6,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | FCG\R1\201040 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | Biomineralization collaboration with Weismann Institute |
Organisation | Weizmann Institute of Science |
Country | Israel |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We provided data and design concepts with utilised the research conducted by Dr. Kolodkin-Gal and colleagues on bacteria templating of mineral crystals. |
Collaborator Contribution | Following a conversation at the International Conference for Applied Microbiology we discussed the process of Biofilm templating of mineral crystals. This resulted in a joint paper: "Architects of nature: growing buildings with bacterial biofilms" and an application worth $100,000 to a joint Israel/UK finding scheme which is currently under consideration. |
Impact | Paper: Architects of nature: growing buildings with bacterial biofilms; Research Proposal: Genetic and Biochemical approach to grow building materials with bacterial biofilms and to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Improving the strength of the World's first bio-brick grown from human urine by adaptation and isolation of microbial isolates |
Organisation | University of Cape Town |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This is an initial pilot research enabled by the work are have conducted on the metabolic pathways of Urease production and the application for biocementing. We are providing scientific expertise with a view to developing a collaborative grant. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners have established a novel method and brick production technique. The partners are leading on this initial pilot stage. |
Impact | This is an early collaboration (initiated Feb 2020) so no firm outcomes have emerged yet. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Initiated a collaboration on Algae Based biomineralization with Nottingham University |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Initial collaboration and development of prep-data for an EPSRC grant to be submitted this year. |
Collaborator Contribution | Developed some initial preparitory experiments. |
Impact | Non Yet - working on an EPSRC Grant |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Project Meeting with NASA |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Department | NASA Ames Exploration Center |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We communicated the key findings of our project with the Research Group at NASA and discussed overlaps with their current research priorities and mission. |
Collaborator Contribution | As part of a project visit we discussed possible applications for our technology and design proposal. This fed in to the development of the "Thinking Soils grant which is currently underway. |
Impact | Support Letter for successful EPSRC "Thinking Soils" Grant proposal. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | ArcInTex Network Presentation in Paris EnsAD |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presentation as part of the EU Funded ARCInTex Network to a small (30-40) group of postgraduate students with a small number of academics and industry representatives from industry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://arcintex.hb.se/conferences-workshops/ |
Description | Material Research Exchange 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Attended the congress with an information stall and posters presenting the outcomes of the Thinking Soils project alongside material samples. 3 Thinking Soils members attended with a view to developing industrial collaborations. The stall was approached by over 100 people during the event and we received over 50 contacts from organisation wanting to seek further collaboration including construction companies and private research companies involved in the development of new materials and IP. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://www.materialresearchexchange.co.uk |
Description | Public Presentation at the Design Museum in London |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An invited presentation to a public Audience as part of the Design with the Living Symposium to an audience of members of the public, students, and other researchers. The Thinking soils project was presented as an exemplars of a new sort of design project. The speaker (Martyn Dade-Robertson) was approached by approx. a dozen students a with interest in pursuing similar research afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://designmuseum.org/whats-on/talks-courses-and-workshops/design-with-the-living?utm_source=emai... |
Description | Thinking Soils Presentation to NASA Ames |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | An invited presentation of Thinkings Soils to a team at NASA Ames to approx 20 research scientists and engineers interested in biotechnology for space missions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |