###Integrating synthetic biology and fabrication for sustainable bio-based construction materials
Project ID: 2228bd1087 (You will need this ID for your application)
Research Theme: Engineering
UCL Lead department: Biochemical Engineering
Lead Supervisor: Stefanie Frank
Project Summary:
Background: There is a growing awareness of the waste and pollution created by the building industry. Consumers are increasingly supportive of sustainable solutions which is driving innovation around biomaterials using microorganisms in living architectures, i.e. self-healing concrete. The creation of such materials is supported by synthetic biology techniques, microbiology and metagenomics advances for the design of novel functionality of strains. This is one unique feature about engineered biomaterials compared to traditional biomaterials like wood, as engineered biomaterials are tunability and can be controlled at molecular level to carry out certain functions on demand. Aim: Building on the supervisory team’s combined expertise, we aim to integrate synthetic biology, microbiology along with novel design fabrication methodologies to generate microbial systems that will be combined with other components to provide novel materials for applications in a variety of settings, i.e. biologically active surfaces.
Objectives:
• Designing, cloning, expression studies and characterisation of desired microbial strain. This will follow the bioengineering design-build-test-learn (DTBL) cycle and will make use of automation technologies at the different sites. • Testing functionality of strains under specific conditions and in combination with other components needed in for the biomaterial. • Developing prototype materials and testing critical parameters, i.e. compression, strength etc. using the specialist equipment and robotics at the Bio-Integrated Design (Bio-ID) laboratories. • Scaling and application of prototypes.
Training: The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills in bioinformatics, synthetic biology, biochemical/biophysical analysis of enzymes, strains, material design, prototyping and automation.
Who we are looking for: The preferred candidate will have some experience in molecular biology, microbiology and an interest in working with biomaterials. The candidate will be expected to have at least an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree or equivalent at Masters level in Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering or a synthetic-biology related degree.