Bionic 3D printed corals.

Wangpraseurt, D; You, S; Azam, F; Jacucci, G; Gaidarenko, O; Hildebrand, M; Kühl, M; Smith, AG; Davey, MP; Smith, A; Deheyn, DD; Chen, S; Vignolini, S

Bionic 3D printed corals.

You, S Azam, F Jacucci, G Gaidarenko, O Hildebrand, M Kühl, M Smith, AG Davey, MP Smith, A Deheyn, DD Chen, S Vignolini, S

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Publisher:: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Nature communications, 2020, 11, (1)
Issue Date:: 2020-04-09

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wangpraseurt, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4834-8981
dc.contributor.author	You, S
dc.contributor.author	Azam, F
dc.contributor.author	Jacucci, G
dc.contributor.author	Gaidarenko, O
dc.contributor.author	Hildebrand, M
dc.contributor.author	Kühl, M
dc.contributor.author	Smith, AG
dc.contributor.author	Davey, MP
dc.contributor.author	Smith, A
dc.contributor.author	Deheyn, DD
dc.contributor.author	Chen, S
dc.contributor.author	Vignolini, S
dc.date.accessioned	2020-11-05T04:34:09Z
dc.date.available	2020-03-10
dc.date.available	2020-11-05T04:34:09Z
dc.date.issued	2020-04-09
dc.identifier.citation	Nature communications, 2020, 11, (1)
dc.identifier.issn	2041-1723
dc.identifier.issn	2041-1723
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/143763
dc.description.abstract	Corals have evolved as optimized photon augmentation systems, leading to space-efficient microalgal growth and outstanding photosynthetic quantum efficiencies. Light attenuation due to algal self-shading is a key limiting factor for the upscaling of microalgal cultivation. Coral-inspired light management systems could overcome this limitation and facilitate scalable bioenergy and bioproduct generation. Here, we develop 3D printed bionic corals capable of growing microalgae with high spatial cell densities of up to 109 cells mL-1. The hybrid photosynthetic biomaterials are produced with a 3D bioprinting platform which mimics morphological features of living coral tissue and the underlying skeleton with micron resolution, including their optical and mechanical properties. The programmable synthetic microenvironment thus allows for replicating both structural and functional traits of the coral-algal symbiosis. Our work defines a class of bionic materials that is capable of interacting with living organisms and can be exploited for applied coral reef research and photobioreactor design.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
dc.relation.ispartof	Nature communications
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1038/s41467-020-15486-4
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.mesh	Animals
dc.subject.mesh	Anthozoa
dc.subject.mesh	Bionics
dc.subject.mesh	Conservation of Natural Resources
dc.subject.mesh	Ecosystem
dc.subject.mesh	Symbiosis
dc.subject.mesh	Photosynthesis
dc.subject.mesh	Light
dc.subject.mesh	Coral Reefs
dc.subject.mesh	Microalgae
dc.subject.mesh	Printing, Three-Dimensional
dc.subject.mesh	Animals
dc.subject.mesh	Anthozoa
dc.subject.mesh	Bionics
dc.subject.mesh	Conservation of Natural Resources
dc.subject.mesh	Ecosystem
dc.subject.mesh	Symbiosis
dc.subject.mesh	Photosynthesis
dc.subject.mesh	Light
dc.subject.mesh	Coral Reefs
dc.subject.mesh	Microalgae
dc.subject.mesh	Printing, Three-Dimensional
dc.subject.mesh	Animals
dc.subject.mesh	Anthozoa
dc.subject.mesh	Bionics
dc.subject.mesh	Conservation of Natural Resources
dc.subject.mesh	Coral Reefs
dc.subject.mesh	Ecosystem
dc.subject.mesh	Light
dc.subject.mesh	Microalgae
dc.subject.mesh	Photosynthesis
dc.subject.mesh	Printing, Three-Dimensional
dc.subject.mesh	Symbiosis
dc.title	Bionic 3D printed corals.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	11
utslib.location.activity	England
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - C3 - Climate Change Cluster
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2020-11-05T04:34:04Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	11
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Corals have evolved as optimized photon augmentation systems, leading to space-efficient microalgal growth and outstanding photosynthetic quantum efficiencies. Light attenuation due to algal self-shading is a key limiting factor for the upscaling of microalgal cultivation. Coral-inspired light management systems could overcome this limitation and facilitate scalable bioenergy and bioproduct generation. Here, we develop 3D printed bionic corals capable of growing microalgae with high spatial cell densities of up to 109 cells mL-1. The hybrid photosynthetic biomaterials are produced with a 3D bioprinting platform which mimics morphological features of living coral tissue and the underlying skeleton with micron resolution, including their optical and mechanical properties. The programmable synthetic microenvironment thus allows for replicating both structural and functional traits of the coral-algal symbiosis. Our work defines a class of bionic materials that is capable of interacting with living organisms and can be exploited for applied coral reef research and photobioreactor design.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/143763