bims-biopma 2025-07-27 papers

J R Soc Interface. 2025 Jul;22(228): 20250058

In situ interfacial shear rheology of fungal films.

Ciatta Wobill, Samuel Steffen, Daniel Macken, Peter Fischer, Patrick Alberto Rühs.

Understanding the dynamic film formation of fungi is essential for designing and creating engineered living fungal materials. However, conventional growth measurements often neglect the three-dimensionality of fungal growth and thus only provide scarce information about the transient mechanical properties. In this study, we use interfacial shear rheology (ISR) to investigate the dynamic formation of fungal films. By using ISR we can identify the lag, exponential and stationary phases of fungal growth by measuring the film viscoelasticity. We observed an increase in storage modulus after 2 h before spore germination, most likely caused by the absorption of spores and metabolic by-products during swelling and germination. Modifying the sugar concentration in the liquid growth media allowed for delayed germination while enhancing the exponential propagation speed of fungi, as visible through colony diameter measurements, spectrophotometry and ISR. Furthermore, we were able to observe the film formation through an increase in interfacial moduli as a measure of biomass. In combination with spectrophotometry and colony diameter measurements, ISR provides a complete picture of the transient film formation over 3 days, shedding light on the germination, exponential growth and stationary phase by providing non-destructive, qualitative measures for biomass and quantitative measures for film strength.

Keywords: engineered living materials; filamentous fungi; growth measurement; microbial growth stages; mycelium; rheology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2025.0058

Biofabrication. 2025 Jul 21.

Genetically programmable wearable devices for precision physiological and molecular monitoring.

Jin He, Mengdie Fu, Wenyue An, Wenyi Xu, Jieruo Zhou, Yan Chen, Zichun Xia, Zhiwei Jiang, Guoli Yang.

Wearable devices have emerged as powerful tools for continuous, real-time health monitoring, enabling the detection of biochemical markers in sweat, tears, saliva, and interstitial fluid. However, existing wearable materials are hindered by limited chemical functionality, static sensing capabilities, and insufficient adaptability to dynamic physiological conditions, which restrict their current impact in precision medicine. Recent advancements have focused on integrating genetic engineering and synthetic biology into wearable platforms, resulting in genetically programmable biointerfaces that enhance specificity, responsiveness, and functional versatility in clinical and personalized healthcare settings. Current applications of these bioengineered devices include real-time monitoring of pathogens, hormones, therapeutic drug levels, and physiological behaviors, offering superior precision and adaptability compared to traditional wearable technologies. This review highlights two key engineering approaches driving this field: genetically modified living cells and cell-free synthetic biology systems. While promising, several challenges still limit broader clinical adoption, including biosafety concerns, the instability of biological components, and translational hurdles. Addressing these challenges requires progress in biocompatibility, controlled gene expression, and durable wearable materials. Looking ahead, future research should aim to integrate these biointerfaces with implantable and smart therapeutic systems, develop autonomous biosensors with self-regulatory functions, and further expand their use in personalized medicine and real-time disease management. By bridging genetic programming with wearable diagnostics, these innovations are laying the groundwork for next-generation biohybrid systems designed to advance precision healthcare.&#xD.

Keywords: cell-free synthetic biology; genetically modified cells; precision monitoring; wearable devices

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/adf25a

Mater Today Bio. 2025 Aug;33 102037

Unlocking the potential of microalgae-derived therapeutic carriers: Characteristics, types, and nanomedical applications.

Peiyi Wang, Changhong Liu, Lei Zheng.

Traditional drug delivery systems are constrained by limitations such as low drug-loading efficiency, immunogenicity, and functional simplicity, rendering them inadequate to address the demands of complex pathological scenarios. Microalgae have emerged as a promising alternative system, possessing not only health benefits derived from their bioactive compounds but also inherent properties that naturally align with delivery system requirements. These advantageous characteristics include exceptional biocompatibility, easily modifiable surface properties, and photosynthetic oxygen-generating capacity. Therefore, using microalgae to develop functional natural delivery systems that combine the delivery of therapeutic substances with the regulation of body health is promising. This review provides a detailed exposition of microalgae-based delivery strategies, including the characteristics, advantages, and types of both microalgae and their derived delivery systems. Furthermore, it pays particular attention to their delivery applications in various biomedical fields, as well as the clinical progress, research gaps, and future trends. Overall, microalgae have great potential for the development of natural delivery systems that promote organismal health and enhance biological functionality. In the future, the integration of emerging biosensing and nanotechnologies with microalgae platforms holds great promise for advancing next-generation therapeutic delivery systems with intelligent responsiveness, precise targeting, and personalized treatment capabilities.

Keywords: Biomedical applications; Delivery system; Hydrogels; Microrobots; Nanotechnology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.102037