Living materials from sol–gel chemistry: current challenges and perspectives

Abstract

The application of the sol-gel technology to develop host materials for cell-based biotechnological devices has been continuously explored over the last 20 years. The most recent progress allowed the diversification of the chemical nature and structure of the inorganic or hybrid matrices, together with extension of cell types whose viability and biological activity could be preserved in the long-term. As a result, the range of potential applications of these ''living materials'' currently encompasses major fields of materials science at its interface with living systems, with particular interest in bioremediation and tissue engineering. Future developments will rely on continuous efforts to adapt materials chemistry to the conditions of life together with a better understanding and control of the influence of confinement on cellular activity.

Interactions between Biological Cells and Layered Double Hydroxides: Towards Functional Materials

“…A large variety of materials has been used as supports, ranging from polymers or biopolymers to inorganic compounds (silica, clays, oxides). Recently, several reviews have highlighted the interest of silica matrices for encapsulation of biomolecules and biological cells . Similarly due to their versatile properties in terms of chemical composition, basicity, charge density, hydrophilicity and morphology, Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) are also reported as highly effective host matrices for many biomolecules, such as amino acids, nucleosides, oligo nucleotides, single or double stranded DNA, proteins and enzymes .…”

Development of a Biosensor for Environmental Monitoring Based on Microalgae Immobilized in Silica Hydrogels

“…One of the most commonly employed procedures, based on the immobilization of microalgae within calcium crosslinked alginate beads is intrinsically biocompatible [12–16], but such matrices are disrupted in water as well as by alginate biodegradation. In the last decade, there have been huge improvements in the development of biocompatible synthetic routes to entrap biological entities within pure inorganic matrices [17–23]. Among them, routes based on sol–gel chemistry [24] are unique in offering the necessary mild conditions for building composite materials based on robust silica hydrogels and biological entities where the bio-activity gives rise to a wide range of sensing possibilities [25–27].…”

Bacteria encapsulated in layered double hydroxides: Towards an efficient bionanohybrid for pollutant degradation

“…Compared to biopolymers, inorganic host matrices are particularly interesting in terms of porosity, mechanical and physical properties. Recently, Blondeau and Coradin highlighted the interest of sol-gel chemistry to improve the preservation of living materials [15].…”