Cyborg cells: functionalisation of living cells with polymers and nanomaterials

Abstract

Living cells interfaced with a range of polyelectrolyte coatings, magnetic and noble metal nanoparticles, hard mineral shells and other complex nanomaterials can perform functions often completely different from their original specialisation. Such "cyborg cells" are already finding a range of novel applications in areas like whole cell biosensors, bioelectronics, toxicity microscreening, tissue engineering, cell implant protection and bioanalytical chemistry. In this tutorial review, we describe the development of novel methods for functionalisation of cells with polymers and nanoparticles and comment on future advances in this technology in the light of other literature approaches. We review recent studies on the cell viability and function upon direct deposition of nanoparticles, coating with polyelectrolytes, polymer assisted assembly of nanomaterials and hard shells on the cell surface. The cell toxicity issues are considered for many practical applications in terms of possible adverse effects of the deposited polymers, polyelectrolytes and nanoparticles on the cell surface.

Biologically Inspired Bio-Cyber Interface Architecture and Model for Internet of Bio-NanoThings Applications

“…The nTR 2 and nTR 3 can be achieved by the use of genetically engineered biological cells [22], a genetically engineered bacterium [23] and artificial cells [24]. In [25,26] model examples of a genetically engineered biotransceiver that can be used to model the molecule synthesis and emission in nTR 2 and nTR3 are presented.…”

“…Thus, following the Michaelis-Menten mechanism, the rate of producing light, which we simply refer to as bioluminescence intensity I, can approximately be expressed as We can obtain the expression for l a by considering the following regulated gene expression differential equations [24]:…”

“…In [24], the transcription factor was modeled as an oscillatory input. In this present work, we reasonably consider that the rate at which the transcription factor is activated through the pathway initiated by the receptor-mediated or direct diffusion of the information molecules into the cellular structure depends on the concentration of the diffusing information molecules.…”

“…Usually, the regulation of genes by the transcription factor entails the following steps: polymerization and promoter binding [49]. For a single transcription factor, the rate of change of the concentration of B is given by [24],…”

Biological responses of T cells encapsulated with polyelectrolyte-coated gold nanorods and their cellular activities in a co-culture system

“…4c). It was reported by Fakhrullin et al that the polyelectrolyte layer can act as a glue to attach metal nanoparticles and block nanoparticle translocation into the cells (Fakhrullin et al 2012). As expected, there were no PSS-GNRs located on the cell surface, nor inside Jurkat T cells encapsulated with PSS/ PAH (PSS/PAH@Jurkat cells; Fig.…”