Information-processing biohybrid materials for sensor applications

Inspired by the cellular sensing and molecular signaling machinery, we use synthetic biology-derived technologies and design concepts to synthesize information-processing biohybrid materials for sensing applications. The concept is based on functionally integrating chemo- and photoreceptors as well as signal propagating enzymes with chemical polymers in a way that the resulting biohybrid materials sense different stimuli and change their properties or functions in a tailored manner. By combining several sensing and actuation modules, we implement information-processing circuits that sense multiple input signals, that process these signals according to fundamental computational operations and produce a desired readout such as the release of a reporter molecule or a change in the material’s mechanical properties. We exemplify this approach by biohybrid materials that can count the number of input signals, that produce an amplified response after sensing small molecule drugs, enzymes or nucleic acids or that integrate multiple input via decoder and encoder circuits. These biohybrid circuits have the potential to act as integrated sensor and processor units for integrated multimodal sensing and data interpretation.