Genetically targeted chemical assembly of functional materials in living cells, tissues, and animals

Science. 2020 Mar 20;367(6484):1372-1376. doi: 10.1126/science.aay4866.

Abstract

The structural and functional complexity of multicellular biological systems, such as the brain, are beyond the reach of human design or assembly capabilities. Cells in living organisms may be recruited to construct synthetic materials or structures if treated as anatomically defined compartments for specific chemistry, harnessing biology for the assembly of complex functional structures. By integrating engineered-enzyme targeting and polymer chemistry, we genetically instructed specific living neurons to guide chemical synthesis of electrically functional (conductive or insulating) polymers at the plasma membrane. Electrophysiological and behavioral analyses confirmed that rationally designed, genetically targeted assembly of functional polymers not only preserved neuronal viability but also achieved remodeling of membrane properties and modulated cell type-specific behaviors in freely moving animals. This approach may enable the creation of diverse, complex, and functional structures and materials within living systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Aniline Compounds / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Ascorbate Peroxidases / genetics*
  • Ascorbate Peroxidases / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Genetic Engineering*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hippocampus
  • Humans
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Mice
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Muscle Cells / physiology
  • Neurons / enzymology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Nitro Compounds / chemistry*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Phenylenediamines / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polymers / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • Aniline Compounds
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Phenylenediamines
  • Polymers
  • Ascorbate Peroxidases
  • aniline
  • 3-nitro-o-phenylenediamine