RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Shape-morphing living composites JF Science Advances JO Sci Adv FD American Association for the Advancement of Science SP eaax8582 DO 10.1126/sciadv.aax8582 VO 6 IS 3 A1 Rivera-Tarazona, L. K. A1 Bhat, V. D. A1 Kim, H. A1 Campbell, Z. T. A1 Ware, T. H. YR 2020 UL http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/3/eaax8582.abstract AB This work establishes a means to exploit genetic networks to create living synthetic composites that change shape in response to specific biochemical or physical stimuli. Baker’s yeast embedded in a hydrogel forms a responsive material where cellular proliferation leads to a controllable increase in the composite volume of up to 400%. Genetic manipulation of the yeast enables composites where volume change on exposure to l-histidine is 14× higher than volume change when exposed to d-histidine or other amino acids. By encoding an optogenetic switch into the yeast, spatiotemporally controlled shape change is induced with pulses of dim blue light (2.7 mW/cm2). These living, shape-changing materials may enable sensors or medical devices that respond to highly specific cues found within a biological milieu.