| Abstract Scope |
The creation of 3D biomimetic composite structures has important applications in tissue engineering, lightweight structures, drug delivery, and sensing. But most of the previous approaches in fabricating 3D biomimetic composites rely on blending or assembling chemically synthesized molecules or structures. Also, it is very challenging to achieve precise control in both the size, geometry, and internal structure of the biomimetic composites. Here, we present a new approach for the creation of 3D bone-mimetic biocomposites with precisely controlled shapes, hierarchical structures, and functionalities. Our approach is based on the integration of programmable microbial biosynthesis with 3D printing of gas-permeable and customizable bioreactors. The organic and inorganic components are bacterial cellulose (BC) and calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) and its precursor, which are biosynthesized by Komagataeibacter xylinus and Bacillus simplex P6A, respectively, in 3D-printed silicone bioreactors in a programmable way. This invention is of high significance to biocomposites, biofabrication, and tissue engineering. |