Materials can be made multifunctional by embedding them with living cells that perform sensing, synthesis, energy production, and physical movement. A challenge is that the conditions needed for living cells are not conducive to materials processing and require continuous water and nutrients. Here, we present a three dimensional (3D) printer that can mix material and cell streams to build 3D objects. Bacillus subtilis spores were printed within the material and germinated on its exterior surface, including spontaneously in new cracks. The material was resilient to extreme stresses, including desiccation, solvents, osmolarity, pH, ultraviolet light, and γ-radiation. Genetic engineering enabled the bacteria to respond to stimuli or produce chemicals on demand. As a demonstration, we printed custom-shaped hydrogels containing bacteria that can sense or kill Staphylococcus aureus, a causative agent of infections. This work demonstrates materials endued with living functions that can be used in applications that require storage or exposure to environmental stresses.

中文翻译：

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通过印刷细菌孢子而形成的弹性生活材料。

通过将材料嵌入执行感应，合成，能量产生和物理运动的活细胞中，可以使材料具有多功能性。一个挑战是活细胞所需的条件不利于材料加工，需要连续的水和养分。在这里，我们介绍了一种可以混合材料流和细胞流以构建3D对象的三维（3D）打印机。枯草芽孢杆菌的孢子被印在材料中，并在其外表面发芽，包括在新的裂缝中自发地发芽。该材料可抵抗极端应力，包括干燥，溶剂，重量克分子渗透压浓度，pH，紫外线和γ辐射。基因工程使细菌能够对刺激作出反应或按需生产化学物质。作为示范，我们印制了含有细菌的定制形状的水凝胶，这些细菌可以感知或杀死金黄色葡萄球菌（感染的致病因子）。这项工作演示了具有生命功能的材料，这些材料可用于需要存储或暴露于环境压力的应用中。