Combining stimuli-responsive hydrogels and scaffold-supported microbial biofilms for a self-controlled catalytic activity of a microbial leaf

MyLeaf project aims to adopt the nature-based plant leaf concept of self-regulation and sustained maintenance of its photosynthetic machinery. Using the power of genetically engineered phototrophic biofilms stably grown at high cell density within a porous material scaffold and equipped with a stimuli-responsive hydrogel surface layer at the gas-liquid interface will enable a sustained catalytic process for chemical production. The pH or temperature (T) -responsive hydrogel surface layer will respond to the activity state of the microbial consortia within the porous scaffold and allow self-control of its catalytic performance by gas permeation control, similar to the principle of plant leaf surfaces. Thus, the MyLeaf concept will be accomplished based on our expertise in utilizing microbial consortia (e.g. Synechocystis, Pseudomonas) for chemical production, as well as engineering of material scaffolds, including synthesis of pH- and T-responsive hydrogels for developing the self-controlled activity of a living catalytic material (LCM). In the future, our new knowledge should exploit the potential of the microbial MyLeaf concept and allow self-sustained biotechnological processes with a broad application range.