Engineered Bacteria as Living Biosensors in Dermal Tattoos

Abstract: Dermal tattoo biosensors are promising platforms for real‐time monitoring of biomarkers, with skin used as a diagnostic interface. Traditional tattoo sensors have utilized small molecules as biosensing elements. However, the rise of synthetic biology has enabled the potential employment of engineered bacteria as living analytical tools. Exploiting engineered bacterial sensors will allow for potentially more sensitive detection across a broad biomarker range, with advanced processing and sense/response functionalities using genetic circuits. Here, the interfacing of bacterial biosensors as living analytics in tattoos is shown. Engineered bacteria are encapsulated into micron‐scale hydrogel beads prepared through scalable microfluidics. These biosensors can sense both biochemical cues (model biomarkers) and biophysical cues (temperature changes, using RNA thermometers), with fluorescent readouts. By tattooing beads into skin models and confirming sensor activity post‐tattooing, our study establishes a foundation for integrating bacteria as living biosensing entities in tattoos.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Engineered Bacteria as Living Biosensors in Dermal Tattoos ; day:17 ; month:06 ; year:2024 ; extent:11 ; Advanced science ; (17.06.2024) (gesamt 11)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Allen, Matthew E. ; Kamilova, Elina ; Monck, Carolina ; Ceroni, Francesca ; Hu, Yubing ; Yetisen, Ali K. ; Elani, Yuval

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309509
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2406171428273.191054918012
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:49 AM CEST