Scientists Grow A Vegan Self-Dyeing Leather Shoe From Bacteria

Scientists at Imperial College London have developed a vegan, plastic-free leather shoe made from genetically engineered bacteria that can self-dye. The bacteria produces sheets of microbial cellulose, which is a strong and flexible material used in various industries. By shaking the shoe at a specific temperature, the bacteria is activated to produce black pigment, dyeing the material from the inside. This method is not only more sustainable than traditional leather production but also solves the toxic problem of dyeing and finishing textile products.

The self-pigmenting bacteria can potentially create leather in a variety of colors by further engineering the genes of the bacteria. The researchers have already demonstrated the ability to project patterns onto the cellulose sheets using blue light, allowing designs to form within the material as it grows. With the help of UK Research Council funding, the scientists and their design collaborators aim to continue developing bacterial cellulose solutions for fashion's environmental challenges.