E.coli as a workhorse
A new area of interest is living materials. Working with colleagues from Cell Engineering we are using bacteria to manipulate host cells in innovative ways. From reprogramming stem cells to secretion of biodegradable materials, we are always interested in applying our basic knowledge of bacterial genetics to new problems. One of the current projects in this area is the Prism-LT project, which is a collaborative project with partners around Europe, which our aim is to engineer bacteria to probe the environment and support stem cell differentiation. This project is led by Dr. David Mark.
The second project in this field of study is led by PhD student Emily Horsburgh. Microorganisms can provide complex responses to environmental stimuli, and they can be genetically engineered to allow user control over responses and integration of numerous inputs. In collaboration with L’Oréal Paris, this project aims to create a new long-lasting topical living biomaterial using strains from the skin microbiome to utilize their genetic ability to survive in a nutrient deficient environment.
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