Here are some early ideas for potential projects: A biological pollution sensor and display. When there is pollution AND no light, e.coli produces bioluminescence. The reason for gene expression only in light is to minimize the energy consumption of the system. Engineer lactobacillus to produce squalene (a antioxidant used for skincare) in response to pollution (hydrocarbon detection). I see yeast has been modified to produce squalene, and e.coli for pollution detection. I assume lactobacillus can be engineered as well. Recreate a concanavalin A (conA) responsive hydrogel, then engineer e.coli to produce that material when triggered. The idea here is that the bacteria act as sensors and processors (through some basic circuit), and produce a stimuli (conA) that triggers shape changing actuation in the hydrogel. I still need to think about what I would want the triggers to be (maybe UV light and pollution).