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Illinois IGB

Research Areas

Multi-Cellular Engineered Living Systems

Multi-Cellular Engineered Living Systems

For years, artificial systems - such as robots and machines - have been used for industrial applications, making a tremendous impact on society. However, steady progress made by scientists could see the replacement of artificial systems with “Multi-Cellular Engineered Living Systems” (M-CELS) composed of living cells and extracellular matrices organized to perform novel functions absent in natural systems. Two research programs - bio-hybrid robots and biological processors - form the foundation of the M-CELS research theme.

M-CELS will focus on developing in silico, cellular, and artificial components for precision assembly of biomachinery and computing processors along with genomics and proteomics of M-CELS. Through a team-based approach spanning multiple disciplines, M-CELS will aim to construct new and efficient pathways for solving real-world needs.