Welcome to the Molinari Lab!
What we do: we leverage synthetic biology and material science to engineer living materials from bacteria.
Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) are composites of living cells embedded into a biopolymer matrix. They are inspired by natural living materials but use synthetic biology to introduce non-natural properties. While cells confer functionality to ELMs, the matrix defines their mechanical and physical properties. By engineering both components, we can produce living materials with unique combinations of physical and biological functions that can deliver superior performances where traditional devices fail to adapt to complex spatiotemporal phenotypes. The presence of cells also enables ELMs to self-assemble and self-repair, ensuring economic production processes and longevity. We aim to engineer multifunctional ELMs for transformative applications in healthcare and agriculture.
Learn more by watching Sara’s seminar at the SynBYSS (Synbio Young Seminar Series)!
Want to join the team? Check out our openings!
