Engineering biology in defence: four example uses

Homeland December 16, 2021

Writing for Defence Online, Dr Nicolette Moreau, Research Scientist at QinetiQ & Research Fellow at University of Bristol, examines the use of engineering biology in defence.

According to The Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC), synthetic biology (or ‘synbio’) is: “the design and construction of new biological entities such as enzymes, genetic circuits, and cells or the redesign of existing biological systems.”

The field of engineering biology (which encompasses synthetic biology), expands upon synbio to move synthetic biology solutions from the lab to real-world applications.

This ‘engineering approach to biology’ builds upon the practice of genetic manipulation (for example, the domestication of plants and animals) but is now rapidly evolving, due to the confluence of molecular biology, systems engineering, information science and other emergent technical fields.

Engineering biology in defence and security

At the hypothetical level, engineering biology’s defence applications are limited by the imagination of research scientists. At the practical level, applications are probably more limited by funding, and functional challenges – like system integration and use in harsh environments. And, despite previous successes, there is still a way to go yet before many of these technologies see frontline use.

Uses

Human performance and individual protection

New drugs created with the help of engineering biology could be used to increase endurance, wakefulness or mental focus – as could human microbiomes (collections of organisms in specific environments) engineered to produce enzyme cofactors for energy metabolism in the human body.

Other microbiomes (placed in the ear, nose and throat) could mitigate the effects of high pressure environments. Others could be used to directly bolster the immune response, for example – microbiomes that can produce immunomodulating biomolecules on demand, or in response to specific stimuli.

On the materials side is the prospect of improved body armour. Recent research from Utah State University demonstrated that altering the DNA of silkworms to incorporate spider genetics allowed the creation of an incredible tough spider silk, which is stronger and more elastic than regular silk – and can be mass produced. This silk is showing promise in the creation of tougher, lighter and more flexible body armour, and has been evaluated by the US army.

Other applications include specialist fabrics that can protect personnel against extremes of temperature and harsh atmospheric conditions – for example, high winds and humidity – or fire, chemical and radiation protective fabrics that are lighter, tougher and less toxic than the materials currently used.

And, what is probably most controversial is the direct engineering of human genetics. A heavily constrained, monitored and regulated form of research, it offers everything from the possibility of incremental improvements to human performance in specific areas, to eventual ‘supersoldiers’ with transhuman features. However, there are massive ethical and technical hurdles that must be overcome before such technology achieves acceptance and eventual use.

Logistical support and construction

Engineering biology can also augment traditional structural engineering. For example, bio-based cement could assist with the construction of buildings and runways for forward operating bases. Biologically derived filter materials and engineered microbiome filters assisting with water desalination and purification is another example – particularly key in areas where clean/new resources are not easy to obtain, like desert and space. Other microbes could grow fuel, or food, or assist with waste disposal and recycling.

The process by which living organisms produce minerals (often to harden or stiffen existing tissues) is called ‘biomineralisation’ – and could also be used in the creation of hard materials, the coating of particles or through conversion of organic materials. In 2021, scientists at the University of Colorado, Boulder demonstrated the growth (and regrowth) of living building materials (LBMs) using cyanobacteria, a common class of microbes that capture energy through photosynthesis. They claim that their photosynthetic construction process absorbs carbon dioxide.

This contrasts sharply with the production of conventional concrete, which releases significant quantities of greenhouse gasses. Conventional concrete also requires virgin sand (which is in great demand), whereas this LBM variety can, apparently, be made from a variety of different materials – including recycled ones.

Power generation and storage

Power generation and storage in nature is commonplace. For instance, electric eels possess electrocytes that can, on command, unleash hundreds of volts. For a less exotic example, the human body could be thought of as a biological battery, storing calories generated from food for later use.

Biofuel cells can release energy by breaking down organic compounds using enzymes. These bio batteries could prove themselves to be more stable and durable, able to operate under greater extremes of temperature, or impact force. Engineered electroactive microbes could be used to fix carbon dioxide, storing it for later use in the form of hydrocarbon compounds, or polymers, to be used in such batteries.

A move away from lithium ion may also allow the creation of batteries without the requirement for rare earth metals. Other applications could see the generation of renewable energy from soil, using microorganisms in fuel cells that break down organic cells – which could be particularly useful in frontline environments. Novel high-energy chemicals may eventually offer more powerful liquid fuel sources for platforms, and without the need of fossil fuels.

Sensors

The sensor possibilities that engineering biology presents are extensive. Biological sensors can be designed to be tiny in size, able to self-replicate, sense in multiple modes, or tailored to detect specific threats with great sensitivity. For example, finely tuned sensors could specialise in the detection of specific biological or chemical threat agents or contaminants – like toxins, hazardous waste or explosive compounds.

Alternatively, contact lenses could replace night vision goggles in low visibility environments. For example, in a study published in October 2020, researchers from the University of Tsukaba created an infrared-transmitting polymer with variable-focus properties. Made from low-cost, widely available materials (it is based on sulphur and compounds derived from algae and plants), the design can be fabricated using a common lab technique called ‘inverse vulcanisation’.

Similarly, advantage could be provided by protein-based lenses that potentially offer greater resolution and durability than conventional glass.

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engineering biology QinetiQ synbio synthetic biology