In the future, bioprinting is likely to play a major role in biotechnology and bioengineering, providing new solutions to the shortage of transplantable organs and tissue. Biomaterials play a critical role in many areas of biotechnology and bioengineering, from medical implants to drug delivery systems.
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Biology for Engineers Module - 5 Trends in Bioengineering
1. Module 5
Biology For Engineers - 21BE45
Dr. Pavan K J
Dept. of Biotechnology
GMIT, Davanagere
TRENDS IN
2. Bioprinting techniques and materials, 3D printing of ear,
bone and skin. 3D printed foods. Electrical tongue and
electrical nose in food science, DNA origami and Biocomputing,
Bioimaging and Artificial Intelligence for disease diagnosis. Self
healing Bioconcrete and Bioremediation and Biomining
via microbial surface adsorption
3. 3D Printing of Ear
Purpose: 3D printing can be used to create custom prosthetic ears for individuals with congenital
deformities, trauma, or cancer-related ear loss
Materials: Biocompatible materials like silicone or bioink containing living cells can be used to print
ears
Process: A 3D scan of the patient's existing ear or the mirror ear is used as a template
Applications: Custom ear prosthetics are more comfortable and realistic than traditional ones
3D Printing of Bone
Purpose: 3D printing of bone is used in orthopedic and maxillofacial surgery to create patient-specific
implants and grafts
Materials: Various materials are used, including biocompatible metals like titanium, bioceramics, and
bioresorbable polymers
4.
5. + Process: Medical imaging, such as CT scans, is
used to create a 3D model of the patient's bone
defect
+ Applications: Custom 3D-printed bone implants
can replace damaged or missing bone,
accelerating the healing process and improving
implant integration
+ 3D Printing of Skin
+ Purpose: 3D printing skin has applications in
wound healing, burn treatment, and tissue
engineering
+ Materials: Skin tissue can be 3D printed using
bioink containing skin cells, collagen, and other
biomaterials
+ Process: A biopsy of the patient's own skin cells
or stem cells can be used to create the bioink
+ Applications: 3D-printed skin can be used for
grafting onto burn wounds or chronic ulcers,
offering a more effective and less painful
treatment compared to traditional grafts
6. +Challenges and Future Directions
+Regulatory Approval: 3D-printed medical devices and tissues
must undergo rigorous testing and receive regulatory approvals
before clinical use
+Biocompatibility: Ensuring that 3D-printed materials are
biocompatible and won't trigger immune responses is critical
+Scaling Production: Scaling up 3D printing for mass production
remains a challenge
+Advancements: Ongoing research aims to improve 3D printing
techniques, materials, and the integration of biological components
for more functional and long-lasting results
8. 1. Purpose and Applications
+Customization: 3D printing allows for the precise customization of food
products, catering to individual tastes, dietary restrictions, and
nutritional needs
+Complex Designs: It can produce intricate and visually appealing food
designs that would be difficult to achieve through traditional cooking
methods
+Food Preservation: 3D printing can be used to create long-lasting food
products, ideal for space travel or emergency food supplies
+Experimental Cuisine: Renowned chefs and culinary artists use 3D
printing to push the boundaries of gastronomy, creating unique
culinary experiences
9. 2. Materials +Edible Inks: The "ink" used in
3D food printing is typically
composed of edible
ingredients, such as pureed
fruits, vegetables, chocolate,
or dough
+Layering: 3D printers deposit
these edible inks layer by
layer, allowing for the creation
of complex structures
10. 3. Types of 3D
Printed Foods
+ Pastries and Confections: 3D printers can create intricate
chocolate sculptures, cake decorations, and edible
garnishes for desserts
+ Pasta and Noodles: Custom-shaped pasta and noodles can
be printed using various types of dough
+ Meat Alternatives: Some companies are experimenting
with 3D printing plant-based meat substitutes, offering
alternative protein sources
+ Customized Nutritional Snacks: Athletes and individuals
with specific dietary requirements can have personalized
nutrition bars or snacks 3D printed with precise ingredient
ratios
+ Pizza: Some pizzerias are exploring 3D printing to create
customized pizza designs and toppings
+ Experimental Dishes: Chefs are using 3D printing to craft
avant-garde dishes and culinary art installations
11. 4. Benefits
+ Personalization: 3D printing allows for the creation of
foods tailored to individual preferences and dietary
needs, potentially addressing food allergies and
nutritional requirements
+ Efficiency: Food can be printed quickly and accurately,
reducing waste and ensuring consistent quality
+ Creative Possibilities: Culinary artists can experiment
with novel shapes, textures, and flavor combinations
+ Food Accessibility: 3D printing could help address
food shortages and provide nutritious meals in
emergency situations
+ Taste and Texture: Achieving the desired taste and
texture in 3D printed foods can be challenging
+ Ingredient Selection: Ensuring that all ingredients used
are safe and meet regulatory standards is crucial
12. 4. Benefits
Cost: 3D food printers can be expensive, limiting their
widespread adoption
Consumer Acceptance: Convincing consumers to embrace
3D printed foods, especially for everyday consumption,
can be a hurdle
Researchers and chefs continue to experiment with 3D
printing techniques and edible materials to improve the
taste, texture, and nutritional content of printed foods
The technology is likely to become more accessible as it
matures, potentially leading to more widespread
adoption in commercial kitchens and homes
The intersection of 3D food printing with artificial
intelligence and machine learning could lead to more
efficient and creative culinary applications
13. + Purpose: The electrical tongue is an
analytical tool designed to mimic the
human sense of taste
+ Components: An E-tongue typically
consists of an array of sensors, each
sensitive to specific taste qualities like
sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami
+ Data Processing: The electrical signals
generated by the sensors are processed
using pattern recognition algorithms
+ Applications: E-tongues are used in quality
control, product development, and
research to assess taste, detect
adulteration, and monitor changes in food
products over time
+ Purpose: The electrical nose is designed to
mimic the human sense of smell
+ Components: An E-nose typically includes
an array of sensors that respond to volatile
organic compounds
14. + Data Processing: Similar to the E-
tongue, E-nose data is processed
using pattern recognition
techniques
+ Applications: E-noses find
applications in food quality control,
flavor analysis, and the detection of
off-flavors or spoilage in food
products
+ Both E-tongues and E-noses offer
rapid and objective analysis of
sensory properties
+ They can detect subtle changes in
taste or aroma that may not be
easily discernible to human testers
+ These technologies are non-
destructive, allowing for repeated
measurements without altering the
sample
15. 4. Limitations
+E-tongues and E-noses do not
provide information on the actual
chemical composition of the
compounds responsible for taste
or aroma
+They require calibration and can
be sensitive to environmental
factors
+The sensors may need periodic
replacement or maintenance
16. 5. Future
Developments
+Ongoing research is focused on improving
the sensitivity and specificity of E-tongues
and E-noses
+Integration with artificial intelligence and
machine learning algorithms can enhance
their capabilities for pattern recognition and
data analysis
+These technologies are likely to continue
playing a significant role in food quality
control, product development, and research
in the food industry
17. DNA Origami
+ Principle: DNA origami utilizes the complementary
base pairing of DNA nucleotides to self-assemble into
specific, predetermined shapes and structures
+ Technique: DNA origami involves the design of a
"scaffold" DNA strand and a series of "staple" strands
+ Applications
+ Nanotechnology: DNA origami is used to create
nanostructures with incredible precision, including
2D and 3D shapes, such as boxes, tubes, and various
functional nano-devices
+ Drug Delivery: DNA origami can be used as a
platform for targeted drug delivery, where
therapeutic molecules are attached to or
encapsulated within the nanostructures
18. DNA Origami
+Biological Sensors: DNA origami structures can be
functionalized with biomolecules to create highly specific
biosensors for detecting various analytes, including
proteins and nucleic acids
+Future Directions: Researchers are exploring ways to
further advance DNA origami, such as incorporating
other materials into the structures, improving the
scalability, and developing more complex nanomachines
for applications in medicine and materials science
19. Biocomputing
+ Principle: Biocomputing leverages the inherent
information storage and processing capabilities of
biological molecules, particularly DNA, to perform
specific computational operations
+ DNA Computing: DNA molecules can store and
process information in the form of sequences of
nucleotides
+ Applications
+ Molecular Logic Gates: DNA molecules can be
designed to act as molecular logic gates, allowing
for the execution of Boolean operations
+ Parallel Processing: Biocomputing can perform
massively parallel operations, making it potentially
useful for solving certain complex problems faster
than classical computers
20. Biocomputing
+Medical Applications: Biocomputing
has potential applications in medical
diagnosis and drug discovery by
using molecular systems to analyze
and respond to specific biological
markers
+Challenges and Future
Developments: Biocomputing faces
challenges related to scalability, error
rates, and the complexity of
programming biological systems
21. Bioimaging
+Definition: Bioimaging refers to the visualization and analysis of
biological structures, tissues, and processes using various imaging
techniques, such as microscopy, medical imaging , and molecular
imaging
+Types of Bioimaging
+Microscopy: Light microscopy, electron microscopy, and
fluorescence microscopy are used to visualize cells, tissues, and
subcellular structures
+Medical Imaging: Techniques like X-ray, MRI, CT scans, and
ultrasound are used for non-invasive visualization of the human
body's internal structures
+Molecular Imaging: Utilizes specialized probes and tracers to
visualize molecular processes in living organisms
22. Bioimaging
+ Applications in Disease Diagnosis
+ Bioimaging plays a critical role in diagnosing various diseases, including
cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurological conditions, and infectious
diseases
+ It helps identify structural abnormalities, track disease progression, and
guide treatment planning
+ Challenges in Bioimaging
+ Image Interpretation: Interpreting complex bioimages can be challenging
and time-consuming for human experts
+ Image Quality: Variability in image quality and artifacts can affect accuracy
+ Data Volume: Modern imaging techniques produce large datasets that
require storage and efficient analysis
23. Artificial
Intelligence for
Disease
Diagnosis
+Role of AI: AI, particularly machine
learning and deep learning, is
increasingly used in conjunction
with bioimaging to enhance
disease diagnosis and research
+Image Analysis: AI algorithms can
automatically analyze bioimages,
detecting patterns, anomalies, and
relevant features that may be
imperceptible to the human eye
24. AI for
Disease
Diagnosis
+ Applications in Disease Diagnosis
+ Cancer Detection: AI can assist in early cancer
detection by analyzing mammograms,
histopathology slides, and radiological images
+ Neurological Disorders: AI can aid in diagnosing
conditions like Alzheimer's disease through the
analysis of brain scans
+ Cardiovascular Health: AI can predict
cardiovascular events by analyzing cardiac
imaging data and patient records
+ Infectious Diseases: AI algorithms can analyze
medical images for the detection of infections
such as tuberculosis
25. +Benefits of AI in Bioimaging
+Speed and Efficiency: AI can process and analyze images much
faster than human experts, leading to quicker diagnosis
+Accuracy: Machine learning models can achieve high accuracy in
disease detection, reducing the risk of false negatives or positives
+Scalability: AI can analyze large datasets consistently, making it
suitable for population-scale studies
+Challenges and Future Developments
+Data Quality: The accuracy of AI models depends on high-quality
training data
+Interpretability: Understanding AI-driven diagnoses is a challenge,
as deep learning models often lack transparency
+Regulatory Approval: Ensuring the safety and efficacy of AI-assisted
diagnoses is a regulatory consideration
26. +Bioconcrete: It is a type of concrete that incorporates bacterial
spores, nutrients, and a healing agent in its mix
+Bacterial Spores: Typically, the bacteria used are of the Bacillus
genus, known for their ability to survive in the alkaline environment
of concrete
+Nutrients: Calcium lactate or another soluble calcium source is
added to provide nutrients for the bacteria
+Healing Agent: A healing agent, such as a calcium-based material, is
included to seal cracks when damage occurs
+When cracks form in the concrete due to external factors like
mechanical stress or environmental conditions, moisture penetrates
the cracks
+The moisture activates the bacterial spores, which then germinate
and consume the nutrients
27. +As the bacteria consume the nutrients, they produce calcium
carbonate as a metabolic byproduct
+CaCO3 fills the cracks and hardens, effectively sealing them and
restoring the concrete's structural integrity
+Durability: Self-healing bioconcrete can extend the lifespan of
concrete structures by preventing cracks from becoming more
extensive and damaging
+Sustainability: It reduces the need for frequent repairs and
replacements, which can reduce resource consumption and
environmental impact
+Cost Savings: Long-term cost savings are possible due to decreased
maintenance and repair requirements
28. Self-healing bioconcrete
+Infrastructure: Self-healing bioconcrete is particularly useful in
infrastructure projects like bridges, tunnels, and highways, where the
prevention of cracks is crucial for safety and longevity
+Buildings: It can also be used in commercial and residential construction
to improve the durability of concrete elements like floors and walls
+Environmental Remediation: Bioconcrete can be designed to help
mitigate environmental issues by sealing cracks in structures that store
hazardous materials
+Longevity: The effectiveness of self-healing bioconcrete may decrease
over time, requiring periodic reapplication of bacteria and nutrients
+Compatibility: Compatibility issues with other concrete additives and
construction materials must be addressed
29.
30. AI for
Disease
Diagnosis
+Regulatory Approval: Widespread adoption
may require regulatory approval and
standardized testing protocols
+Researchers continue to explore improvements
in self-healing bioconcrete, such as optimizing
bacterial strains and nutrients for enhanced
healing performance
+Integration with other sustainable construction
practices and materials is an area of ongoing
research
31. Artificial
Intellige
nce for
Disease
Diagnosi
s
+ Definition: Bioremediation is a process that uses microorganisms to remove,
neutralize, or degrade pollutants from the environment
+ Microbial Surface Adsorption in Bioremediation
+ Microbes can attach to solid surfaces, including contaminants and particles
in the environment
+ Adsorption, the binding of contaminants to microbial surfaces, is one
mechanism by which microorganisms can interact with and immobilize
pollutants
+ Microbial cell surfaces can adsorb heavy metals, organic compounds, and
other contaminants, reducing their mobility and toxicity
+ Applications of Bioremediation
+ Biodegradation: Microbes can break down organic contaminants like
hydrocarbons, pesticides, and solvents
32. Artificial
Intelligence
for Disease
Diagnosis
+Heavy Metal Removal: Certain bacteria
can immobilize heavy metals like lead,
cadmium, and arsenic through
adsorption or precipitation
+Groundwater Cleanup: Bioremediation
is used to treat contaminated
groundwater by enhancing microbial
activities that degrade pollutants
33. Biomining
+ Definition: Biomining is a process that employs
microorganisms to extract valuable metals from ores and
mining waste materials
+ Microbial Surface Adsorption in Biomining
+ Microbes play a crucial role in biomining by adhering to
mineral surfaces and facilitating the dissolution of valuable
minerals from ores
+ Biomining microbes can produce organic acids and solvents
that promote mineral dissolution and metal recovery
+ The adsorption of microbial cells onto mineral surfaces can
enhance mineral breakdown
+ Applications of Biomining
+ Copper and Gold Extraction: Biomining is commonly used to
extract metals like copper and gold from low-grade ores and
mining tailings
34. Biomining
+Environmental Benefits: Biomining
is considered environmentally
friendly compared to traditional
mining methods, as it reduces the
need for harmful chemicals and
energy-intensive processes
35. Microbial
Surface
Adsorption
+Mechanisms: Microbial surface adsorption
involves various mechanisms, including ion
exchange, surface complexation, and
electrostatic interactions, depending on the
specific microorganism and contaminant
involved
+Surface Structures: The surface structures of
microbial cells, such as extracellular
polymeric substances and functional groups
on cell walls, play a crucial role in
adsorption processes
+Enhancement Techniques: Bioremediation
and biomining processes can be optimized
by selecting or genetically engineering
microbes with enhanced surface adsorption
capabilities