Engineered living materials

Summary

This course provides an introduction to the topic of engineered living materials (ELMs), a class of materials that incorporates living cells, thus enabling distinct functionalities such as the ability to grow, heal, adapt, sense, and respond.

Content

Keywords

biomaterials, biohybrids, directed assembly, biofilm, extracellular matrix, protein, exopolysaccharides, bacteria, fungi, algae

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

None

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Describe the basic concepts of ELMs
• Deduce how living cells and organisms can be applied in materials science
• Assess / Evaluate the potential of ELMs for different applications
• Formulate challenges related to the implementation of ELMs

Transversal skills

• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
• Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
• Manage priorities.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
• Communicate effectively, being understood, including across different languages and cultures.

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra, with clickers and videos

Expected student activities

• short assignments
• hands-on lab project, in groups
• presentation of article from the scientific literature

Assessment methods

• assignments (1/6)
• lab project (3/6)
• journal club presentation (2/6)

Supervision

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Notes/Handbook

Detailed lecture slides with references will be made available during the course.

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/MSE-493