Light Controlled 3D Micromotors Powered by Bacteria

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2017 Jun 29

PMID 28656975

Citations 32

Authors

Gaszton Vizsnyiczai

Giacomo Frangipane

Claudio Maggi

Filippo Saglimbeni

Silvio Bianchi

Roberto di Leonardo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Self-propelled bacteria can be integrated into synthetic micromachines and act as biological propellers. So far, proposed designs suffer from low reproducibility, large noise levels or lack of tunability. Here we demonstrate that fast, reliable and tunable bio-hybrid micromotors can be obtained by the self-assembly of synthetic structures with genetically engineered biological propellers. The synthetic components consist of 3D interconnected structures having a rotating unit that can capture individual bacteria into an array of microchambers so that cells contribute maximally to the applied torque. Bacterial cells are smooth swimmers expressing a light-driven proton pump that allows to optically control their swimming speed. Using a spatial light modulator, we can address individual motors with tunable light intensities allowing the dynamic control of their rotational speeds. Applying a real-time feedback control loop, we can also command a set of micromotors to rotate in unison with a prescribed angular speed.

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