MICROBIAL ASSEMBLIES LAB
Director:  Laura Maria Gonzalez

The Microbial Assemblies Lab is an interdisciplinary research space focused on the development of engineered living materials (ELMs) through the integration of microbial systems with architectural substrates. Drawing from synthetic biology, materials science, and computational design, the lab investigates how microbial processes - such as biocementation and biosensing - can be embedded into material systems to enable responsive, functional, and environmentally engaged forms of construction.
 
The lab is equipped to support Biosafety Level 1 (BSL1) protocols, with infrastructure for bacterial culture, molecular cloning, and genetic circuit design. Core research activities include the casting and additive manufacturing of ELM components, the engineering of Bacillus subtilis to develop a biosensing library, and the formulation of bio-receptive substrates that sustain microbial viability. Projects in the lab explore biocementation for self-healing structural materials, the integration of biosensing microbes for passive environmental signaling, and the design of layered substrates that enhance microbial longevity and material performance over time.
 
In addition to wet lab work, the lab conducts computational modeling of material behavior and bio-integration strategies. It serves as a research and teaching platform for faculty and students working across architecture, biology, and environmental design, and aims to expand the role of living systems within the built environment through both speculative and applied research.