This work establishes a means to exploit genetic networks to create living synthetic composites that change shape in response to specific biochemical or physical stimuli. Baker's yeast embedded in a hydrogel forms a responsive material where cellular proliferation leads to a controllable increase in the composite volume of up to 400%. Genetic manipulation of the yeast enables composites where volume change on exposure to l-histidine is 14× higher than volume change when exposed to d-histidine or other amino acids. By encoding an optogenetic switch into the yeast, spatiotemporally controlled shape change is induced with pulses of dim blue light (2.7 mW/cm2). These living, shape-changing materials may enable sensors or medical devices that respond to highly specific cues found within a biological milieu.

中文翻译：

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可变形的活性复合材料。


这项工作建立了一种利用遗传网络来创建活合成复合材料的方法，该复合材料可以根据特定的生化或物理刺激而改变形状。嵌入水凝胶中的面包酵母形成一种响应材料，其中细胞增殖导致复合体积可控增加高达 400%。对酵母的基因操作使得复合材料接触 L-组氨酸时的体积变化比接触 d-组氨酸或其他氨基酸时的体积变化高 14 倍。通过将光遗传学开关编码到酵母中，用暗蓝光脉冲 (2.7 mW/cm2) 诱导时空控制的形状变化。这些活的、可变形的材料可以使传感器或医疗设备能够对生物环境中发现的高度特定的线索做出反应。