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. 2018 Oct 11;2(4):040901.
doi: 10.1063/1.5038337. eCollection 2018 Dec.

Perspective: The promise of multi-cellular engineered living systems

Roger D Kamm  1 , Rashid Bashir  2 , Natasha Arora  1 , Roy D Dar  2 , Martha U Gillette  2 , Linda G Griffith  1 , Melissa L Kemp  3 , Kathy Kinlaw  4 , Michael Levin  5 , Adam C Martin  1 , Todd C McDevitt  6 , Robert M Nerem  3 , Mark J Powers  7 , Taher A Saif  2 , James Sharpe  8 , Shuichi Takayama  3 , Shoji Takeuchi  9 , Ron Weiss  1 , Kaiming Ye  10 , Hannah G Yevick  1 , Muhammad H Zaman  11
Affiliations

Perspective: The promise of multi-cellular engineered living systems

Roger D Kamm et al. APL Bioeng. .

Abstract

Recent technological breakthroughs in our ability to derive and differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells, organoid biology, organ-on-chip assays, and 3-D bioprinting have all contributed to a heightened interest in the design, assembly, and manufacture of living systems with a broad range of potential uses. This white paper summarizes the state of the emerging field of "multi-cellular engineered living systems," which are composed of interacting cell populations. Recent accomplishments are described, focusing on current and potential applications, as well as barriers to future advances, and the outlook for longer term benefits and potential ethical issues that need to be considered.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
(a) Pathways to building a M-CELS. (b) Key steps to achieve the two distinct pathways. The wavy line in (a) shows that integration across the two pathways could also be possible.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Methods for controlling emergence in M-CELS. Following the design specifications (left), a collection of procedures can be applied in a spatiotemporal manner to induce differentiation and organization of the cells (middle) to produce the desired form and function (right).
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3.
Manufacture of M-CELS. (a) Design and selection of cellular and substrate components. (b) Product manufacture requiring a variety of manufacturing methods, many being unique to biological systems. (c) The manufactured product. (d) Post-processing considerations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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