The development of a micron-scale domestication device for the ‘unculturable’ marine bacteria within octocorallia

Since the emergence of antibiotic resistance, the demand for novel therapeutic agents has been on the rise. Many of the bioactive compounds needed to produce such therapies are derived from microbial resources. However, the vast majority of these earthly microbes are currently unaccounted for. It has been revealed that many of these ‘missing’ bacteria dwell within marine environments. Although the bacteria’s location is known, the development of new therapeutic agents remains static due to their resistance to cultivation under laboratory conditions. Through this study, the development and fabrication of a millimetric-sized domestication device with micron-sized features was explored using two-photon polymerization technology. The device features 10 μm pores with an internal cavity capable of storing encapsulated bacteria. In preparation for field testing, sealing and insertion tests have been conducted on the current design. Future studies will explore the secluded microbial activity within the thin tissues of Octocorallia while testing the device’s ability to facilitate the diffusion of nutrients and chemical signalling needed for bacterial growth