bims-enlima Biomed News
on Engineered living materials
Issue of 2026–08–30
thirty papers selected by
Rahul Kumar, Tallinna Tehnikaülikool
  1. A programmable living force sensor fabricated with surface engineered microbial network.
  2. Engineering viral protease-operated nanobodies for programmable and orthogonal control of protein function.
  3. Extrusion bioprinting of FibMA-fibrin semi-IPN hydrogel filaments for enhanced skeletal muscle cell alignment.
  4. Magneto-optics marches on.
  5. Vat Polymerization 3D Printing of Hydrogels With Tunable Porosity.
  6. From invention to industrialization of materials in Europe.
  7. Recent advances in green printing materials and technologies.
  8. Enabling molecular signaling with temperature and ionic-strength independence or programmable dependence.
  9. Targeting calcium-crosslinked alginate hydrogel in a living subject using a synthetic anion receptor.
  10. Supramolecular morphological transition driven by nonequilibrium break-and-build self-organisation.
  11. Enhancing materials discovery with valence-constrained design in generative modeling.
  12. Engineering Tissue-Relevant Collagen Bundle Architectures via Macromolecular Crowding.
  13. Combinatorial Optimization of Protein Systems in Synthetic Cells.
  14. Adaptive model-guided protein evolution with sparse data optimizes compact eukaryotic genome editors.
  15. 3D-printed chiral luminous materials.
  16. Automated prototyping of genetic codes.
  17. Adhesion of Hydrogels to Fluoropolymers by Electrophoretic Fluoropolymer Coating.
  18. Spontaneously charged water drops induce corrosion.
  19. Engineered bacterial siderophore production accelerates rock weathering for carbon removal.
  20. Multidimensional interactions of living materials with biological entities.
  21. Morphing active networks.
  22. WASP: a pipeline for functional annotation prediction based on AlphaFold structural models.
  23. Molecular origin of anisotropic shear elastoplasticity in chitin.
  24. De novo design of RNA pseudoknots with deep learning.
  25. Promoter selection reduces phenotypic heterogeneity and improves bioproduction.
  26. Neural network finds twisted crystals that steer light at the nanoscale.
  27. Cyclopropanol can function as a caged dual-functional warhead for selective electrochemical bioconjugation.
  28. Ultrahigh-ratio drawing during spinning achieves graphene fibres with high strength and thermal conductivity.
  29. A self-triggering and fully sustainable gastric device enabling long-acting oral delivery of macromolecules.
  30. Rethink the cargo, rethink the carrier.
  1. Nat Commun. 2026 Jul 23. pii: 8958. [Epub ahead of print]17(1):
    A programmable living force sensor fabricated with surface engineered microbial network.
    Si Shi, Changhong Wang, Qiliner Feng, Hailin Li, Aike Shi, Jie Liu, Yongzheng Ma, Xiangjun Gong, Zifu Li, Baizhu Chen.
      Engineered living materials have recently expanded into the field of bioelectronics when incorporating the rationally rewired microbes inside. Integrating living materials with force sensing provides an alternative route to overcome limitations of traditional sensors, such as fragility and stretching-sensitivity. Here, we present a programmable living force sensor fabricated by surface engineered microbial network with a bottom-up design for human-machine interfaces. Bacterial cells are genetically rewired to display surface-anchored affinity pairs that mediate the assembly of bacteria to macroscale. Functioning as the conductive and sensing layer, the microbial network is encapsulated in elastic tubes to fabricate the macroscopic force sensor. The resulting living sensor features a tunable measuring range, rapid self-recovery capacity within tens of milliseconds, and remarkably, excellent stretching-insensitivity with only ~30% increase in resistance under 800% of elongation. This bio-integrated approach enables microbes to prepare robust and reconfigurable force sensor suitable for tensile, dynamic and extreme mechanical conditions.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75944-3
  2. Nat Commun. 2026 Jul 30. pii: 9222. [Epub ahead of print]17(1):
    Engineering viral protease-operated nanobodies for programmable and orthogonal control of protein function.
    Mingguang Cui, Xiaoxuan Liu, Tien-Hung Lan, Tianlu Wang, Tatsuki Nonomura, Brendan McKee, Rui Wang, Yun Huang, Yubin Zhou.
      Precise control of protein function in living cells is essential for engineering programmable biological systems and therapeutic applications. However, most current strategies act indirectly by altering protein stability, localization, or proximity rather than directly modulating binding activity. Here we present VIPbodies, nanobodies engineered with self-cleaving viral proteases that convert protease inhibition into drug-dependent antigen recognition. Using anti-mCherry nanobodies as prototypes, we create variants responsive to orthogonal viral protease-inhibitor pairs and extend the design to diverse nanobody scaffolds. Each VIPbody functions independently within the same cell, enabling multiplexed regulation of distinct targets. When incorporated into transcriptional circuits, VIPbodies mediate drug-tunable gene expression and execute all six canonical Boolean logic operations, providing a compact framework for programmable cellular computation. Beyond gene regulation, VIPbody circuits mediate bidirectional control of pyroptosis and selectively activate apoptotic or pyroptotic programs via caspase coupling, thereby enabling chemogenetic control of protein function and cell fate.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-76122-1
  3. Biofabrication. 2026 Aug 27. 18(3):
    Extrusion bioprinting of FibMA-fibrin semi-IPN hydrogel filaments for enhanced skeletal muscle cell alignment.
    Haneen Simaan-Yameen, Tobias Call, Katia Kopty, Noa Notea-Debutton, Cesare Gargioli, Dror Seliktar.
      We engineered a biodegradable hydrogel that can be bioprinted with C2C12 skeletal muscle cells into filamentous structures that serve as a provisional template forin vitromyofiber formation, without requiring sacrificial polymers or a secondary gelation bath. The hydrogel meets the rheological and biological requirements of direct extrusion printing and supports cellular realignment along the filament axis. In this study, we optimized the printable hydrogel formulation and investigated how C2C12 cells respond to different geometric constraints imposed by the filament microstructure, with a focus on reorientation and uniaxial alignment. To this end, we prepared a dual-crosslinked semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogel composed of fibrin and methacrylated fibrinogen (FibMA), enabling independent control over biological, microstructural, and viscoelastic mechanical properties. The FibMA-fibrin (FibMAtrx) semi-IPN hydrogel was successfully extruded with the cells into filaments and supported rapid cell spreading. Filament formation was enabled by fibrinogen's rapid supramolecular chemistry upon extrusion, while covalent crosslinking of FibMA imparted mechanical stability suitable for long-term 3D culture. The fibrin-based supramolecular microstructure provided essential morphogenetic cues that promoted accelerated muscle cell spreading and organization. Filament dimensions scaled proportionally with extruder nozzle size; however, decreasing filament diameter increased the elastic modulus. Compared to bulk hydrogels, filament hydrogels promoted enhanced uniaxial cell alignment. Notably, the relationship between nozzle size and cell alignment was confounded by increased stiffness in smaller-diameter filaments, which hindered skeletal muscle cell morphogenesis. Overall, the FibMAtrx semi-IPN hydrogel represents a robust protein-based bioink for bioprinting skeletal muscle filaments, offering tunable biological and biophysical cues that support rapid morphogenesis forin vitromyogenic applications.
    Keywords:  bioink; fibrin; hydrogel; interpenetrating polymer network; methacrylated fibrinogen (FibMA); muscle cells; skeletal muscle fibers
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/ae8a82
  4. Nat Mater. 2026 Sep;25(9): 1473
    Magneto-optics marches on.
      
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-026-02743-y
  5. Small Methods. 2026 Aug 28. e70988
    Vat Polymerization 3D Printing of Hydrogels With Tunable Porosity.
    Liwei Liu, Liwen Zhang, Xumin Huang, Yuan Xu, Jason R Stokes, Jinghan Qin, Yi Du, Dandan Cui, Xinyan Gu, Naufal Kabir Ahamed Nasar, Xiaoming Sun, Jiali Zhai, Thomas P Davis, Ruirui Qiao.
      Three-dimensional, interconnected hydrogel networks are central to tissue engineering and disease modeling, where tailored pore architecture and mechanical robustness are essential for supporting cellular functions. However, the limited ability to engineer microstructural features in vat polymerization 3D-printed natural hydrogels often compromises scaffold performance, as oversized pores reduce cell attachment and cell-cell interactions while smooth pore walls lack essential topographical cues. Here, we report an emulsion-based ink for vat polymerization 3D printing that enables the fabrication of hydrogels with finely tunable and highly interconnected porous architectures. An oil-in-water resin formulated using gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) contains stable solvent nanodroplets that act as sacrificial templates during photopolymerization. Removal of the dispersed phase yields additive-free porous hydrogels with pore sizes ranging from 0.66 to 46.15 µm and a 2.5-fold enhancement in compressive toughness. This strategy is compatible with digital light processing (DLP) and broadly applicable to multiple photocurable biopolymers, including alginate methacrylate (ALMA) and hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA). The resulting porous scaffolds promote enhanced cell attachment, proliferation, and cell-cell interactions, highlighting the potential of this vat polymerization-compatible platform for advanced biofabrication.
    Keywords:  3D printing; cell proliferation; macroporous hydrogel; soft materials; tissue engineering
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.70988
  6. Nat Mater. 2026 Aug 28.
    From invention to industrialization of materials in Europe.
    Paula Maria Vilarinho, Sean Kelly.
      
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-026-02713-4
  7. Chem Soc Rev. 2026 Aug 24.
    Recent advances in green printing materials and technologies.
    Zeying Zhang, Yang Yun, Zixuan Zhang, Meng Su, Yanlin Song.
      Green printing has emerged as a powerful additive manufacturing strategy for fabricating functional materials and devices over large areas, while reducing material consumption, processing steps, production costs and chemical waste. By precisely controlling droplet movement, fluid transport, and interfacial assembly, printing enables the direct patterning of highly integrated structures on various substrates. Over the past five years, rapid advances in functional ink design, printing processes, device integration, and artificial intelligence (AI) have accelerated the transition of printed materials and technologies from laboratory demonstrations towards industrial manufacturing. Nevertheless, their broader deployment remains limited by persistent trade-offs between resolution, throughput, scalability and reproducibility. In this review, we first summarize recent developments in inkjet printing, template-guided printing, 3D printing, transfer printing, roll-to-roll manufacturing and other emerging printing techniques, with emphasis on improving material utilization, simplifying processing procedures, and achieving large-scale production. We then discuss printable functional materials, including quantum dots, nanomaterials, perovskites, polymers, and their composites, highlighting the roles of material composition, rheology, and stability in determining their final functionalities. On this basis, we introduce representative applications in electronics, photonics, biomedical engineering, microfluidics and soft robotics. We further examine the effect of AI on green printing in various aspects such as ink formulations, process optimization, structural design, and closed-loop control. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future prospects for achieving green and sustainable printing in practical use.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d6cs00520a
  8. Nat Commun. 2026 Aug 07. pii: 8895. [Epub ahead of print]17(1):
    Enabling molecular signaling with temperature and ionic-strength independence or programmable dependence.
    Egor S Korenkov, Maxim P Nikitin.
      The equilibrium constants of chemical reactions fundamentally depend on temperature, posing challenges for living systems. However, many conformer organisms do not maintain a stable internal temperature. This raises the question: can molecular signaling pathways inherently resist temperature susceptibility? Molecular commutation is a recently discovered, fundamentally distinct mechanism of biological information processing and storage within reversible association/dissociation reactions. Here, we show that molecular commutation enables complex signaling systems that are independent of temperature and ionic strength and, even more generally, programmably dependent on these parameters. Using examples of various DNA logic gates, receptor-activator networks, and systems with complex input-output relationships (e.g., computed as algebraic functions), we demonstrate computationally that introducing compensatory reactions in these networks can render their signaling independent of temperature and ionic strength. We experimentally validate such independence for a case of a YES-logic gate. Finally, we computationally demonstrate networks with outputs that follow predefined functional forms of temperature and ionic strength (e.g., sin(T), where T is temperature). The presented intrinsic capabilities of affinity-based networks provide a remarkable homeostasis and signaling control mechanism that may be used by biological systems of arbitrarily high complexity.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-76207-x
  9. Chem Sci. 2026 Aug 25.
    Targeting calcium-crosslinked alginate hydrogel in a living subject using a synthetic anion receptor.
    Hunter B D Cheney, Rananjaya S Gamage, Jon Chiaramonte, Catherine G Price, Colin Davidson, Donny Hanjaya-Putra, Bradley D Smith.
      Alginate hydrogels are widely utilized in different medical applications as drug excipients, wound dressings, and tissue engineering scaffolds. However, selective delivery of molecular payload to unmodified alginate hydrogels in complex biological media remains a significant challenge. This study presents a novel supramolecular approach for targeting unmodified alginate hydrogels using synthetic zinc(ii) bis(2,2'-dipicolylamine) (ZnBDPA) coordination complexes. Recognizing the polyanionic nature of alginate, we demonstrate that ZnBDPA receptors exhibit high binding affinity for the carboxylate groups on an alginate polymer backbone. Solution-state titration and dye displacement assays confirmed strong binding of a ZnBDPA receptor to different polycarboxylates including alginate. Subsequent hydrogel loading and leakage experiments found that a fluorescent ZnBDPA receptor molecule readily transferred into calcium-crosslinked alginate microspheres and remained trapped, unlike an untargeted control dye. Moreover, release of the trapped ZnBDPA receptor could be triggered by adding pyrophosphate as a receptor binding and displacement agent. Finally, in vivo fluorescence imaging of a living mouse revealed that intravenously administered ZnBDPA receptor selectively targeted a subcutaneously implanted alginate microsphere. These findings establish ZnBDPA as an effective delivery vehicle for alginate hydrogel implants within a living subject, offering a versatile platform for loading and controlled release of molecular payload.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d6sc05110c
  10. Nat Commun. 2026 Aug 24. pii: 8571. [Epub ahead of print]17(1):
    Supramolecular morphological transition driven by nonequilibrium break-and-build self-organisation.
    Ryou Kubota, Yuriki Ikuta, Shogo Torigoe, Naoki Kanazawa, Itaru Hamachi.
      Controlling the nonequilibrium dynamics in synthetic systems is an important challenge in supramolecular chemistry. Biological morphogenesis exploits nonequilibrium reaction-diffusion processes to organise differentiated cell networks and functions in space. In contrast, artificial assemblies are mostly formed under thermodynamic control, and they thus lack autonomous spatial complexity. Here, we present a supramolecular morphological transition that enables spatial control over the differentiation and decomposition of synthetic self-assembled fibres. Upon hybridisation with a surfactant, self-assembled fibres made from low-molecular-weight peptides undergo nonequilibrium break-and-build dynamics through cycles of fibre decomposition and reformation. Coupling these dynamics with surfactant diffusion generates repeated propagating waves that produce macroscopic nonlinear concentric patterns of chemically distinct fibres. These resultant patterns can be modulated by applying transient thermal pulses or by introducing multiple surfactants. This approach provides a strategy for the hierarchical organisation of supramolecular assemblies, opening up opportunities for constructing complex, functional soft materials with controlled spatial architectures.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-76336-3
  11. Nat Comput Sci. 2026 Aug 26.
    Enhancing materials discovery with valence-constrained design in generative modeling.
    Mouyang Cheng, Weiliang Luo, Hao Tang, Bowen Yu, Yongqiang Cheng, Weiwei Xie, Ju Li, Heather J Kulik, Mingda Li.
      Diffusion-based deep generative models have emerged as powerful tools for inverse materials design. Yet many existing approaches overlook essential chemical constraints, such as oxidation-state balance, which can lead to chemically invalid structures. Here we introduce 'crystal generator with valence-constrained design' (CrysVCD), a modular framework that integrates chemical rules directly into the generative process. CrysVCD first uses a transformer-based elemental language model to generate valence-balanced compositions, followed by a diffusion model to generate crystal structures. The valence constraint enables orders-of-magnitude more efficient chemical valence checking compared with pure data-driven approaches with post-screening. When fine-tuned on stability metrics, CrysVCD achieves 85% metastability (Ehull < 0.1 eV per atom) and 68% phonon stability. Moreover, CrysVCD supports conditional generation of functional materials, enabling discovery of candidates such as high thermal conductivity semiconductors and high dielectric constant (high-κ) materials. Designed as a general-purpose plugin, CrysVCD can be integrated into diverse generative pipelines to promote chemical validity, offering a reliable, scientifically grounded path for materials discovery.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s43588-026-01037-2
  12. Adv Healthc Mater. 2026 Aug 25. e71566
    Engineering Tissue-Relevant Collagen Bundle Architectures via Macromolecular Crowding.
    Xiangyu Gong, Zixie Liang, Yaqing Huang, Raymond Liu, Zihan Zhou, Yair Saucedo, Zhang Wen, Alejandro Rossello-Martinez, Mahdi Karimi, Lingjie Pan, Themis R Kyriakides, Michael Mak.
      Collagen type I forms thick, cell-scaled bundles in native tissues, but standard in vitro collagen gels are composed of disordered thin nanofibrillar networks lacking this architecture. We introduce a simple macromolecular crowding (MMC) strategy, distinct from thermo- or pH-driven gelation, that rapidly assembles collagen into continuous, thick, microscale bundles with tunable dimensions matching healthy and diseased tissue states. These bundles recreate fibrotic and cancer-associated matrix features, enabling direct investigation of how the geometry and topography of collagen fiber networks regulate cell-state transitions and tumor invasion. The method is compatible with collagen from multiple species and collagen-rich decellularized ECM. These single-cell-sized bundles also support robust endothelial sprouting and the formation of aligned microvascular networks in matrices that normally restrict angiogenesis. Bundle suspensions are readily extrudable for bioprinting and injectable delivery applications. Compared to conventional collagen gels, MMC-synthesized bundles are highly tunable to trigger diverse cell behaviors and more accurately replicate native tissue microenvironments, providing a broadly applicable platform for disease modeling and regenerative engineering.
    Keywords:  collagen architectures; collagen bioprinting; extracellular matrices; injectable materials; macromolecular crowding; tissue engineering
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.71566
  13. ACS Synth Biol. 2026 Aug 21. 15(8): 3285-3299
    Combinatorial Optimization of Protein Systems in Synthetic Cells.
    Marijn van den Brink, Nico J Claassens, Christophe Danelon.
      In vitro reconstitution of protein systems─e.g., metabolic pathways, genetic circuits, or biosensors─often requires optimization to enhance their activity. Combinatorial DNA libraries that simultaneously target multiple genes allow for a holistic optimization strategy by studying the interplay between the systems' components, which may reveal DNA variants that would be hidden when testing each element in isolation. Here, we screen large populations of synthetic vesicles that express combinatorial DNA variants of a DNA self-replicator or a phospholipid synthesis pathway. We simultaneously vary the strengths of multiple RBSs or synonymously mutate the first codons of multiple genes to explore the effects of the protein translation rates directly on the functionality of the two core synthetic cell modules. We isolated high performers through DNA self-selection or functional screening by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Long-read sequencing of the fittest variants revealed the optimal RBS strengths and base substitutions in the first codons and indicated which genes were most impactful in regulating the functionality of the protein systems. Single-mutation data were used to predict the fitness of combinatorial variants, which was compared with the experimental fitness observed. The theoretical fitness of combinatorial variants was extremely predictive for the two-gene library of the DNA replicator but less for the larger pathway library. Altogether, our approach exemplifies how combinatorial testing can be expanded from single proteins to multiprotein systems, which can in the future be extended to the evolutionary engineering of even larger genetic and metabolic networks, and eventually an entire artificial cell.
    Keywords:  DNA self-replication; cell-free gene expression; combinatorial DNA libraries; directed evolution; epistatic interactions; synthetic cell
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.6c00166
  14. Nat Biotechnol. 2026 Aug 24.
    Adaptive model-guided protein evolution with sparse data optimizes compact eukaryotic genome editors.
    Shijie Wan, Jackson Gold, Pranay Vure, Casey S Mogilevsky, Ananya Talikoti, Tianrong Chen, Aman Gupta, Trisha Biswas, Zheng You, Vir Acharya, Pranam Chatterjee, Xiao Wang, Xue Gao.
      Efficient protein engineering is constrained by vast sequence space and limited experimental throughput, particularly for protein families that lack large mutational datasets. Here we combine Fanzor2 (Fz2) ortholog discovery, ωRNA scaffold engineering and EvoMax, a model-guided prioritization strategy for sparse-data engineering of compact eukaryotic Fz2 nucleases. EvoMax integrates iterative experimental profiling with Gaussian process regression, protein language models and inverse folding to navigate complex sequence-to-fitness landscapes. Applied to eukaryotic Fz2 nucleases, this strategy yielded a high-performance variant, FanzMAX v3-hLa, achieving up to 97% editing efficiency at the best-performing endogenous locus and a mean editing efficiency of ~33% across 19 endogenous loci, outperforming the established compact genome editors enNlovFz2 and enCnCas12f1 by more than 2.6-fold. In vivo editing of hPCSK9 in humanized mice supported the translational potential of optimized Fz2 editors. Together, these results establish EvoMax as an integrated strategy for engineering compact eukaryotic Fz2 genome editors and identify FanzMAX v3-hLa as a high-efficiency programmable nuclease for mammalian genome editing.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-026-03272-4
  15. Nat Commun. 2026 Jul 30. pii: 9219. [Epub ahead of print]17(1):
    3D-printed chiral luminous materials.
    Anqi Li, Shanshan Zhao, Mingjiang Zhang, Jing Lin, Yanji Huang, Zeyi Li, Guangen Li, Zhi Tong, Taotao Zhuang.
      3D printing allows creation of complex, precise chiral luminous materials-with dynamically switchable, circularly polarized light emissions-enabling spatial control over light-matter interactions for advanced optical applications. However, high-performance, additively manufactured chiral materials have yet to be realized, because preservation of chiral molecular alignment and interlayer structural integrity during rapid curing or processing remains challenging. Here, we present an interfacial phase-separated polymerization strategy, allowing rapid and robust production of 3D chiral luminous materials. These stereo-architectures are fabricated via layer-by-layer curing within 20 seconds and, more importantly, displaying 360° omnidirectional chiral light emission with an asymmetry factor 0.6. Furthermore, a finding-chiral emission inversion, tuned by excitation-light circuit switching or z-axis growth-inducing in our system-is observed. The synthesized 3D printed chiral luminous materials with satisfactory precision (10 microns, the limit of printer) pave the way for multifunctional chiral optical devices.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75988-5
  16. Nature. 2026 Aug 26.
    Automated prototyping of genetic codes.
    Felix Radford, Nayan Sapers, Hana M Burgess, Lucy Ort, Bogdan Budnik, George M Church.
      The standard genetic code uses 64 codons to encode 20 canonical amino acids across domains of life. New-to-nature genetic codes enable new chemistries, therapeutics and ecosystem engineering, but recoding the genome of an organism is exceptionally challenging1-6. Here we describe automated genetic tRNA expansion (AGENTEX) for multiplexed robotic prototyping of genetic codes in cell-free translation systems. Two Watson-Crick interactions in the ribosomal large subunit (LSU) mediate recognition of the 3' CCA end of tRNAs, preventing tRNAs with alternative 3' sequences from being accommodated during translation7,8. Building on these interactions, we investigated the extent to which non-CCA-3' tRNAs (otRNAs) would be aminoacylated by natural aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), allowing pools of otRNAs to specify unique genetic codes using ribosomes with altered LSU. We developed multiplexed and automated methods to read aminoacylation in libraries of synthetic tRNAs. We discovered that the tRNA 3' end shows remarkable flexibility to mutation, allowing aminoacylation of most otRNAs by all Escherichia coli aaRSs. Building on our discovery, we developed cell-free translation systems enabling compressed genetic codes of 34 aaRSs for 34 codons. Using AGENTEX, we evaluated two genetic codes alongside the standard genetic code, with non-standard amino acid incorporation and reassignment of up to three codons. Our findings have implications for the design of radically new translation systems, the synthesis of biopolymers with several instances of non-standard monomers, and understanding of possible past and future genetic codes.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10949-y
  17. Macromol Rapid Commun. 2026 Aug 28. e70414
    Adhesion of Hydrogels to Fluoropolymers by Electrophoretic Fluoropolymer Coating.
    Yoshiaki Kobayashi, Tatsumi Shigenari, Syuuhei Komatsu, Akihiko Kikuchi, Taka-Aki Asoh.
      Although hydrogels are widely used in bio-integrated devices and soft systems, their robust adhesion to polymers with low surface energies remains a fundamental challenge. Fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are notoriously difficult to adhere to because of their chemical inertness and non-wetting surfaces. In this study, we demonstrate that water-stable adhesion between hydrogels and fluoropolymers can be achieved by engineering interfacial dipole-dipole interactions. In particular, a fluoropolymer coating was deposited on hydrogel surfaces via the electrophoretic deposition of an anionic fluoro-copolymer, resulting in a polyion-complexed interfacial layer. The coated hydrogels exhibited stable adhesion to PTFE, even in water. Notably, adhesion to PTFE displayed an on/off transition with slight changes in copolymer composition, while adhesion to other substrates remained unaffected. This unique composition sensitivity revealed that adhesion to PTFE required exceeding the critical surface density of fluorinated dipoles, which distinguishes it from conventional wetting-driven adhesion mechanisms. Consequently, this study highlights dipole-dipole interactions as a decisive design principle for bonding hydrogels to chemically inert fluoropolymers.
    Keywords:  adhesion; coating; electrophoresis; fluoropolymers; hydrogels
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.70414
  18. Nature. 2026 Aug 26.
    Spontaneously charged water drops induce corrosion.
    Zhongyuan Ni, Xiaomei Li, Aaron D Ratschow, Lin Jian, Xiaoteng Zhou, Pravash Bista, Diego Cortes, Gunnar Glasser, Haojian Luo, Shuai Chen, Jiyao Yu, Yongkang Wang, Katrin Amann-Winkel, Kaloian Koynov, Rüdiger Berger, Hans-Jürgen Butt.
      Water drops spontaneously become electrically charged when moving on different surfaces, such as plant leaves, insect wings, building walls, window glass and plastic1-9. This process, known as contact or sliding electrification, is analogous to tribocharging between solids10-13. The electric potential of water drops charged in this way can exceed 1 kV (refs. 14-16). A vital but as yet unanswered question is whether the charge in water drops causes corrosion. Here we analyse the effect of series of water drops hitting metal surfaces, which are protected by a non-conductive coating. Before hitting the coated metal, the drops acquire a charge spontaneously by sliding over an insulating surface. We demonstrated that these charged drops can cause the coating to break down electrically and lead to corrosion of the metal. As spontaneously charged water drops form naturally, this previously overlooked corrosion mechanism may contribute to the degradation of cultural heritage sites, buildings, ships, cars and other metal components. Our findings can improve anticorrosion strategies and emphasize the need for protective materials capable of resisting charge-induced damage from water drops.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10941-6
  19. Nat Biotechnol. 2026 Aug 28.
    Engineered bacterial siderophore production accelerates rock weathering for carbon removal.
    Neil C Dalvie, Amogh P Jalihal, Abigail Fitzgibbon, Jan-Tobias Böhnke, Mohammed Hijaz, Quincey A Justman, Steven J Davis, Pamela A Silver, Michael Springer.
      Silicate mineral weathering (dissolution) is a scalable strategy for capture and storage of CO2 but is too slow for industrial deployment. Bacteria can accelerate mineral dissolution by secreting siderophores, molecules that solubilize iron released from the mineral. Here we investigate how to deploy siderophore-producing bacteria at scale to continuously enhance dissolution of the mineral olivine. We demonstrate that natural genetic regulation precludes continuous siderophore production in mineral bioreactors. To overcome this limitation, we engineer the marine bacterium Alteromonas macleodii for enhanced siderophore production, conferring a 2.6-fold increase in the rate of olivine dissolution. Life-cycle analysis indicated that renewable feedstocks and minimal replenishment of modified cells are critical to achieve net CO2 removal at scale. With these guidelines, we constructed pilot-scale continuous mineral bioreactors that use unprocessed seawater and a renewable acetate feedstock to weather 4 kg of olivine. In reactors with engineered cells, we directly measured removal of 0.50 g CO2 per day from the air through alkalinity generation.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-026-03288-w
  20. Biomaterials. 2026 Aug 20. pii: S0142-9612(26)00589-2. [Epub ahead of print]337 124565
    Multidimensional interactions of living materials with biological entities.
    Shuqing Du, Yanfei Liu, Yongbo Liu, Yifu Tan, Yunqi Man, Zhirou Zhang, Zexiang Lv, Luke P Lee, Qi-Wen Chen, Zhenbao Liu.
      Living materials, defined by dynamic biological activity and responsive capabilities, are emerging as pivotal therapeutic agents in biomedicine. Their therapeutic effects are driven by active interactions with biological entities at multiple levels. However, most existing reviews focus narrowly on fabrication methods or specific applications, lacking a comprehensive, integrated analysis of the complex, multidimensional interactions between living materials and host cells, tissues, disease microenvironments, and the organism as a whole. This gap impedes the full understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that govern the relationship between these interactions and therapeutic outcomes. This work aims to bridge this gap by systematically analyzing the core interaction mechanisms of living materials-ranging from bacteria, bacteriophages, and viruses to cells and microalgae-with their host environments. We explore four-dimensional interactions: living material-cell, living material-tissue, living material-disease microenvironment, and living material-host. By synthesizing insights across these dimensions, we propose a unified framework linking living-material properties to host interactions and disease intervention. This study provides foundational principles and identifies key technical challenges for optimizing living materials, facilitating their rational design and clinical translation. Ultimately, this research seeks to accelerate the innovative application of living materials in the treatment of major diseases.
    Keywords:  Biological entities; Biomedical applications; Disease intervention; Living materials; Multidimensional interactions
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2026.124565
  21. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Sep;123(35): e2610243123
    Morphing active networks.
    Ya Wen, Yuzhen Chen, Yifan Yang, Fan Xu.
      Biological networks like leaf venation exhibit remarkable morphing capabilities that enable organisms to adapt and thrive in their environments. However, the underlying mechanisms that govern the morphing of such networks, especially when the network itself actively grows and imposes constraints, remain poorly understood. The inherent complexity of interconnected topological elements poses significant challenges for both theoretical modeling and experimental investigation. Here we develop an active Cosserat rod model capturing growth-induced network morphing, validated through polydimethylsiloxane swelling experiments and four-dimensional printing. By examining cellular lattices with varying geometries, we reveal how symmetry and chirality can be systematically programmed through network architecture. Using bioinspired venation patterns with tunable pinned sites, we demonstrate that the network functions as a mechanically constraining framework: Its geometry dictates the spatial distribution of growth-induced deformation, with model predictions matching biological observations. We further achieve precise control of nonuniform morphing, including chirality, bidirectional curvature, and edge rippling, through engineered inhomogeneous growth. Our findings uncover how network geometry and active growth can program three-dimensional shape transformations, offering a design strategy for morphing matter, soft robotics, and deployable structures.
    Keywords:  4D printing; Cosserat rod; active matter; growth; morphogenesis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2610243123
  22. Nat Commun. 2026 Jul 28. pii: 9156. [Epub ahead of print]17(1):
    WASP: a pipeline for functional annotation prediction based on AlphaFold structural models.
    Giorgia Del Missier, Kiyan Shabestary, Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro.
      Protein function annotation is crucial for understanding biological processes and mechanisms. Traditionally, annotations rely on sequence homology, providing valuable insights but often leaving gaps even in well-characterised organisms. With AlphaFold enabling rapid generation of protein structural models, we can now infer function from three-dimensional shape. Here, we present WASP, a pipeline leveraging structural homology to enhance protein annotation prediction at scale, providing a more comprehensive understanding of protein functions across various organisms. WASP relies on network topology for better accuracy and more robust statistical power. We show that WASP achieves superior F1 scores compared to state-of-the-art sequence-based tools when recovering hidden annotations. On 20 industrially relevant organisms, WASP retrieves annotations for 20-30% of previously uncharacterised proteins. We further demonstrate utility in genome-scale metabolic model curation, identifying native candidates for 75-100% of orphan reactions. WASP highlights how structural homology can systematically discover annotations missed by sequence-based approaches.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75956-z
  23. Sci Adv. 2026 Aug 28. 12(35): eadz6220
    Molecular origin of anisotropic shear elastoplasticity in chitin.
    Zhangmin Wan, Yi Lu, Yan Yu, Xun Niu, Chris Zhou, Xin Lu, Yancun Yan, Jeremy C Smith, Simcha Srebnik, Orlando J Rojas.
      Chitin nano- and mesoscale structures present in the exoskeleton of crustaceans exhibit exceptional longitudinal stiffness and toughness, rivaling or even exceeding that of many synthetic polymer architectures. Here, we reveal the origin of the asymmetric shear response in chitin multiscale architectures, marked by pronounced anisotropy in deformation. Under shear aligned with the molecular axis, chitin accommodates strain through coherent atomic rearrangements that enable elastic recovery. In contrast, shear applied perpendicular to this axis induces liquid-like plasticity via localized sliding. These results demonstrate the intrinsic mechanical anisotropy of chitin, underpinning a dual function in resisting repetitive loading while dissipating internal stress during high-strain events. Our findings establish the molecular basis of shear elastoplasticity in multiscale chitin structures, wherein axial elasticity supports energy storage in load-bearing regions, whereas transverse plasticity enables controlled energy dissipation. These atomic-scale insights lay a foundation for the predictive design of chitin-based materials with tunable strength-toughness profiles.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adz6220
  24. Science. 2026 Aug 27. 393(6814): 931-937
    De novo design of RNA pseudoknots with deep learning.
    Jill Townley, Wipapat Kladwang, David Baker, Hamish M Blair, Christian A Choe, Gina El Nesr, Andrew Favor, Eli Fisker, Daniel B Haack, Shujun He, Jason Hingey, Po-Ssu Huang, Rui Huang, Chaitanya K Joshi, Thomas Karagianes, Andrew Kubaney, Pietro Liò, Adamo Mancino, Jonathan Romano, Boris Rudolfs, Nicholas Spellmon, Navtej Toor, Jigyasa Verma, Vivian Wu, Zhiheng Yu, Eterna Participants, Rhiju Das.
      RNA design has been hindered by the limited accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction. In this study, we show that intricate RNA structures can be generated with current deep learning tools through accurate de novo design of pseudoknot secondary structures. In an Eterna competition involving 57 pseudoknots, generative artificial intelligence (AI) methods matched experienced human designers in solving most blind challenges, evaluated by single nucleotide-resolution chemical mapping, compensatory mutagenesis, and cryo-electron microscopy. AI-generated molecules with accurate secondary structures formed well-ordered 3D folds stabilized by noncanonical tertiary interactions not modeled during design. Success was guided by an RNet foundation model trained on prior chemical mapping data, suggesting that some difficult RNA design tasks may be tractable without first solving RNA 3D structure prediction.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aeg6829
  25. Trends Biotechnol. 2026 Aug 27. pii: S0167-7799(26)00337-9. [Epub ahead of print]
    Promoter selection reduces phenotypic heterogeneity and improves bioproduction.
    Davina Patel, Kiyan Shabestary, Jiabao Xu, Cinzia Klemm, Wei E Huang, Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro.
      Cell-to-cell heterogeneity leads to the formation of subpopulations within an isogenic population, resulting in the coexistence of high and low producer cells. However, the impact of this phenotypic heterogeneity on bioproduction has been overlooked. Using flow cytometry to analyse commonly used yeast promoters, we found that many display macro-heterogeneity, generating multiple discrete subpopulations. Additionally, by regressing single-cell protein expression on single-cell RNA sequencing data, we explored the use of predictive models as a guide for selecting promoters with more homogeneous expression at desired expression levels. As a proof of concept, we engineered an improved lycopene pathway by substituting homogeneous promoters for macro-heterogeneous ones and implemented single-cell Raman spectroscopy to demonstrate up to a threefold increase in single-cell and bulk lycopene production. Overall, our results show that promoter heterogeneity can have a large impact on microbial bioprocesses and that the selection of homogeneous promoters can achieve more efficient production in a metabolically engineered pathway.
    Keywords:  metabolic engineering; microbial production; phenotypic heterogeneity; promoter homogenisation; single-cell Raman spectroscopy; subpopulations
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.08.002
  26. Nat Mater. 2026 Aug 28.
    Neural network finds twisted crystals that steer light at the nanoscale.
      
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-026-02744-x
  27. Nat Chem. 2026 Aug 28.
    Cyclopropanol can function as a caged dual-functional warhead for selective electrochemical bioconjugation.
    Shan Hu, Xiaoying Lian, Jinnawat Jongkhumkrong, Öznur Ölmez Nalcıoğlu, Akshani Anjula Wijesooriya, Diqi Yan, James D Sitter, Hao Liu, Michael Walla, William E Cotham, Aaron K Vannucci, Qian Wang.
      Bioorthogonal reactions enable the study and modulation of biological systems, but achieving precise control over when and where the reactions occur remains challenging. Here we show that cyclopropanol (CPol) can serve as a compact, energy-loaded chemical handle that is stable under physiological conditions, yet can be selectively activated using mild electrochemical stimuli. This strategy generates reactive β-haloketone moieties in situ, enabling efficient protein labelling for cellular imaging and proteomic analysis. Unexpectedly, CPol preferentially modifies acidic amino acids, such as glutamate and aspartate, within hydrophobic regions of proteins, rather than more commonly targeted residues. The electrochemical reaction is compatible with living cells, allowing real-time visualization using fluorogenic probes. We further demonstrate its utility by developing a choline-derived CPol probe that integrates into membrane lipid metabolism to label membrane-associated and cytoplasmic proteins. By combining bioorthogonality with electrochemical control, this approach offers a general and controllable platform for protein conjugation, with broader applications in chemical biology and live-cell studies.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-026-02227-1
  28. Nat Mater. 2026 Aug 28.
    Ultrahigh-ratio drawing during spinning achieves graphene fibres with high strength and thermal conductivity.
    Senping Liu, Jinhe Wang, Yiwei Zhang, Bo Wang, Min Cao, Jiahao Lu, Jinxu Lin, Ya Wang, Yingjun Liu, Dan Chang, Peng Li, Dingyi Pan, Chao Gao, Zhen Xu.
      The demand for materials combining high strength with exceptional thermal conductivity is growing across aerospace, automotive, thermal management and energy applications. Graphene offers an ideal building block, but multiscale defects such as disordered stacking and voids prevent macroscopic assemblies from realizing its intrinsic properties. Here we show that ultrahigh-ratio draw spinning, enabled by the polymer-like viscoelasticity of two-dimensional sheets in viscous solvents, produces graphene fibres with a tensile strength of 5.9 GPa, a Young modulus of 963 GPa, a thermal conductivity of up to 1,720 W m-1 K-1 and an electrical conductivity of 1.3 MS m-1. A high-ratio draw spinning up to 11, combined with high-temperature annealing, efficiently removes defects and produces densely packed, highly ordered graphene fibres. These properties surpass most existing strong and thermally conductive fibres. This work provides a versatile route for assembling two-dimensional materials into high-performance macroscopic structures and expands opportunities for multifunctional materials.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-026-02733-0
  29. Sci Adv. 2026 Aug 28. 12(35): eaef9186
    A self-triggering and fully sustainable gastric device enabling long-acting oral delivery of macromolecules.
    Chengbang Lu, Zede Yi, Hongyan Yuan, Haoying Wang, Kewen Lei, Weijie Li, Xianglin Wu, Weixuan Liu, Yunxiang Zhang, Teng Dong, Kai Wu, Yaoben Wang, Shuquan Cui, Yue Zhao, Yingning He, U Kei Cheang, Tian Liu, Yancong Zhang, Tianyuan Ci, Yiyuan Yang, Xiangyu Liang.
      Long-acting oral delivery of macromolecular therapeutics remains difficult, as most oral delivery devices focus on improving gastrointestinal absorption but do not adequately address sustained drug release and frequent dosing. In parallel, many gastric-retentive systems rely on nondegradable structural components, raising concerns regarding retained-device burden and postuse medical waste. Here, we report a biodegradable oral capsule device for long-lasting drug delivery, termed the sustainable gastric self-triggered device (SGSTD), inspired by the stinging mechanism of Apis mellifera. After reaching the stomach, SGSTD autonomously deploys a biodegradable barbed drug-loaded needle into the gastric wall, while the remaining carrier body is subsequently excreted, establishing a bioinspired "deploy-and-separate" strategy for long-acting gastric delivery. The embedded needle enables microchannel-mediated sustained release, with structurally tunable release behavior. Ex vivo and in vivo porcine studies confirmed gastric deployment, tissue retention, systemic safety, and localized tissue repair around the insertion region. In vivo, SGSTD maintained insulin delivery for over 7 days, achieving a relative bioavailability of 63.8%, approximately 17.2-fold higher than conventional oral administration. SGSTD is cost-effective, scalable, and composed of biodegradable materials, providing a sustainable strategy for long-acting oral biologics delivery.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aef9186
  30. Science. 2026 Aug 27. 393(6814): 862-863
    Rethink the cargo, rethink the carrier.
    Jacob W Myerson, Drew Weissman.
      New transfer RNA medicines require redesigned lipid nanoparticles for delivery.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aek3835
This page is being maintained by Thomas Krichel. It was last updated on 2026‒08‒31 at 9:02.