Solute Transport in Engineered Living Materials using Bone Inspired Microscale Channel Networks

• DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.03.547434
• Publication Date: 2023-07-04T06:30:13Z
• Authors: Ellen W. van Wijn...; Samantha Bratcher; Karl J. Lewis; Christopher J. He...
• Keywords: Microscale chemistry

Abstract Engineered living materials (ELMs) are an emerging class of that is synthesized and/or populated by cells. Maintaining cells within ELM over prolonged periods remains a major technical challenge limits the service life material. Biological regularly maintain robust populations Bone maintains for decades delivering nutrients through network nanoscale channels punctuated microscale pores. Nutrient transfer in bone enabled mechanical loading experienced during regular use. Here we identify characteristics channel-pore geometries and external can be used engineered to deliver resident cell populations. Transport occurs when deformation pore exceeds volume connecting channels. Computational models show transport enhanced at greater load magnitudes lower frequencies consistent with experimental validation using microfluidic systems. Our findings provide quantitative design principles networks capable designed house