Biofabrication with microbial cellulose via soft templating and aerotaxis

Microbial cellulose, particularly bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), is known for its exceptional biofilm characteristics, formed by highly interlocked fibrils. Hydrogels and their derivatives, such as aerogels, are lightweight materials with high surface areas, providing a versatile platform for innovation. BNC-based aerogels present promising solutions to challenges in bio-based porous materials, particularly in terms of structural stability and scalability. These materials are increasingly explored for applications in sensors, medical devices, and thermal and electroactive systems.

The fibrous nanostructure of BNC, combined with the micro-porosity inherent in BNC bio-aerogels, enables the development of customized and highly specialized designs. This study summarizes our work on multiscale BNC-based aerogels, highlighting their fundamental properties and diverse applications. We specifically focus on liquid-in-liquid printing and 3D biofabrication through aerotaxis, demonstrating a one-step process for creating BNC biofilms that can serve as scaffolds for structures that find applications in biomedical and energy materials.