These fabrics will have genetically engineered bacteria or mammalian cells incorporated into them, that will enable them to generate and replenish chemical coatings and chemically active components. Abstract Biotechnology is revolutionizing in the way problems are solved in almost all areas of life. The scope and usefulness of bio-engineered products are constantly increasing.
Clothing is an ideal medium in which to implant mobile bio-environments.
Our project aims at developing new technologies for the incorporation of biologically active fibers and micro-environments with the goal of producing durable fabrics at reasonable cost. We have genetically engineered bacteria that allow for the non-invasive quantification of bacterial viability and function in fibers and fabrics. We are developing techniques for introducing and culturing these bacteria in select hollow fibers. The success of this effort will open an entirely new area of textile production in which the rapidly increasing number of genetic engineering tools can be used to improve fabric design and performance. The tools of genetic engineering enable people to design and create cell based machines to perform useful tasks for mankind.