Embedded Files
Design Inspiration
Kombucha is a fermented beverage that is produced from a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). The bacteria found in kombucha SCOBYs creates large aggregates of bacterial cellulose which, when dried, form a flexible material; this is the inspiration for our technology.
Figure 1. Komucha SCOBY
Figure 2. Bacterial cellulose mat
Our material production process harnesses the ability of kombucha-like bacteria (K. rhaeticus) to produce bacterial cellulose. We then use that cellulose as a scaffold to hold antimicrobital proteins (peptides) that are produced using genetic engineering of E. coli curli nanofibers.
What is a Pellicle?
A pellicle is simply defined as a thin skin or membrane; the bacteria found in kombucha create these membranes out of cellulose when grown under static conditions. These membranes or pellicles form the primary structure of our material.
Our team developed a functional physical prototype of an antimicrobial material produced through genetic engineering and laboratory production methods.
Image Citations:
Alexis. (2017, May 29). About Kombucha SCOBYs: How, What, Why | Edible Alchemy Blog. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from https://ediblealchemy.co/kombucha-how-what-why/
Vasanth Kumar, U., Narayanasamy, S., Uthandi, S. (2025). Bacterial cellulose: A comprehensive review on biosynthesis, sustainable production, and multifaceted industrial applications. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 154, 153–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2025.08.013
Page updated
Report abuse