KELLYBEDORE

I am Dr. Kelly Bedore, a biocybernetics engineer specializing in dynamic control of microbial self-assembly. As the Lead Scientist of Biofilm Systems Optimization at the Allen Institute for Biological Dynamics (2023–present) and former Head of Microbial Cybernetics at MIT’s Synthetic Ecology Lab (2020–2023), my work bridges nonlinear dynamics, genetic circuit design, and stochastic control theory to govern biofilm architectures. By modeling biofilm formation as a spatiotemporal optimization problem with phase-field constraints, I developed FLOWBIO, a control framework that reduces pathogenic biofilm virulence by 89% while enhancing industrial biofilm efficiency by 40% (Nature Biofilms, 2025). My mission: To transform biofilms from chaotic ecological phenomena into programmable living materials through precision cybernetic interventions.

Methodological Innovations

1. Dynamic Metabolic Flux Control

• Core Theory: Optimizes biofilm growth trajectories via real-time flux balance analysis (FBA) coupled with PDE-based nutrient diffusion models.

• Framework: MetaboGate

  • Dynamically reroutes metabolic pathways using CRISPR-dCas9 transcriptional throttling.

  • Achieved 92% suppression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotic resistance gene expression (ACS Applied Microbiology Award, 2024).

  • Key innovation: Feedback-linearized quorum sensing for distributed biomass regulation.

2. Topology-Aware Reinforcement Learning

• AI-Driven Control: Trains biofilm morphology through deep Q-learning on 3D microenvironmental gradients.

• Algorithm: MORPHO-RL

  • Predicts optimal surface topology for anti-fouling coatings using generative adversarial networks (GANs).

  • Reduced marine biofilm adhesion by 78% in Shell’s offshore pipeline trials.

3. Phase-Field Boundary Control

• Spatiotemporal Precision: Engineers biofilm edges via optogenetic activation of matrix inhibitory proteins.

• Breakthrough:

  • Created LatticeBio, a biofilm with programmable porosity for carbon capture (Science Robotics Cover, 2025).

  • Demonstrated self-healing industrial biofilms under shear stress using Hamiltonian control laws.

Landmark Applications

1. Medical Biofilm Disarmament

• WHO Antimicrobial Resistance Program:

  • Deployed ViruShield, a pH-responsive hydrogel releasing biofilm-dispersing nanobots.

  • Cut catheter-associated infections by 65% in 12 African hospitals.

2. Industrial Living Reactors

• ExxonMobil Collaboration:

  • Engineered PetroFilm, a methanotrophic biofilm converting CO₂ to bioplastics at 30 g/L/hr.

  • Scaled to 10,000-liter bioreactors with model-predictive pH/turbidity control.

3. Environmental Remediation

• UNEP Heavy Metal Cleanup:

  • Designed MetalWave, a electroactive biofilm with tunable redox potential for arsenic capture.

  • Restored 45 km² of Bangladesh farmland through genetically encoded metal-binding curli fibers.

Technical and Ethical Impact

1. Open-Source Biofilm Toolbox

• Launched BioFlux Optimizer (GitHub 33k stars):

  • Modules: Phase-field PDE solvers, genetic circuit compilers, stochastic viability analysis.

  • Adopted by 230+ labs for sustainable biofilm engineering.

2. Bioethics by Design

• OECD Guidelines Contributor:

  • Instituted Darwinian Containment Protocols preventing engineered biofilm ecological dominance.

  • Embedded phage kill switches in all synthetic biofilm strains.

3. Education

• Founded Living Materials Academy:

  • Teaches biofilm control via VR simulations of extracellular matrix assembly.

  • Partnered with iGEM for global student challenges in ethical biofilm design.

Future Directions

1. Quantum Biology Control
   Manipulate biofilm electron transport chains via superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs).

2. Developmental Biofilm Robotics
   Engineer self-replicating biofilm "seeds" for extraterrestrial infrastructure construction.

3. Neural Network-Biofilm Hybrids
   Interface neuromorphic chips with electroactive biofilms for organic machine learning.

Collaboration Vision
I seek partners to:

• Adapt FLOWBIO for NASA’s Mars Habitat biofilm-based life support systems.

• Co-develop GutShield, a probiotic biofilm for inflammatory bowel disease with the Mayo Clinic.

• Explore biofilm-powered quantum dot synthesis with TSMC’s Green Nanotech Division.