3D-printing bacteria allowed to create the world's first "living tattoo"

A team of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), having genetically modified bacterial cells, has developed a new method of 3D printing that allows creating so-called "living tattoos" that respond to various stimuli.

Electronic tattoos and intelligent ink technologies have demonstrated tremendous potential in the field of changing the shape and size of various objects in recent years. In addition, these technologies can be used in portable sensor devices or to replace the type of control of such devices. While many engineers are experimenting with various responsive materials, a team of researchers from MIT wondered if living cells could be used in this technology.

First, it was necessary to decide which organic cells can be used, and it turned out that strong bacterial cell walls are the best solution, since they can withstand the force of the nozzle of a three-dimensional printer. Bacteria also proved to be fully compatible with the hydrogels needed for accurate 3D printing.

To test the technique, the team created a three-dimensional image of bacterial cells on the elastomeric layer. The sketch for such a complex tattoo was a tree with branches, each of which was created to react to various chemical stimuli. As a result, each branch of a tree drawn by bacteria successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the technology.

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