Issue 6, 2022

Cell-based biocomposite engineering directed by polymers

Abstract

Biological cells such as bacterial, fungal, and mammalian cells always exploit sophisticated chemistries and exquisite micro- and nano-structures to execute life activities, providing numerous templates for engineering bioactive and biomorphic materials, devices, and systems. To transform biological cells into functional biocomposites, polymer-directed cell surface engineering and intracellular functionalization have been developed over the past two decades. Polymeric materials can be easily adopted by various cells through polymer grafting or in situ hydrogelation and can successfully bridge cells with other functional materials as interfacial layers, thus achieving the manufacture of advanced biocomposites through bioaugmentation of living cells and transformation of cells into templated materials. This review article summarizes the recent progress in the design and construction of cell-based biocomposites by polymer-directed strategies. Furthermore, the applications of cell-based biocomposites in broad fields such as cell research, biomedicine, and bioenergy are discussed. Last, we provide personal perspectives on challenges and future trends in this interdisciplinary area.

Graphical abstract: Cell-based biocomposite engineering directed by polymers

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
19 jan 2022
Accepted
22 feb 2022
First published
22 feb 2022

Lab Chip, 2022,22, 1042-1067

Cell-based biocomposite engineering directed by polymers

W. Wang and S. Wang, Lab Chip, 2022, 22, 1042 DOI: 10.1039/D2LC00067A

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