Payne, G.F.G.F.PayneKim, E.E.KimCheng, Y.Y.ChengWu, H.-C.H.-C.WuGhodssi, R.R.GhodssiRubloff, G.W.G.W.RubloffRaghavan, S.R.S.R.RaghavanCulver, J.N.J.N.CulverBentley, W.E.W.E.BentleyHSUAN-CHEN WU2018-09-102018-09-1020131744683Xhttp://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84881046899&partnerID=MN8TOARShttp://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/377190https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84881046899&doi=10.1039%2fc3sm50527h&partnerID=40&md5=5dcf68da6e481a37862ff8c34f9260c5Biology is a master of mesoscale science, possessing unprecedented capabilities for fabricating components with nano-scale precision and then assembling them over a hierarchy of length scales. Biology's fabrication prowess is well-recognized and there has been considerable effort to mimic these capabilities to create materials with diverse and multiple functions. In this review, we pose the question-why mimic, why not directly use the materials and mechanisms that biology provides to biofabricate functional materials? This question seems especially relevant when considering that many of the envisioned applications-from regenerative medicine to bioelectronics-involve biology. Here, we provide a sampling to illustrate how self-assembly, enzymatic-assembly and the emerging tools of modern biology can be enlisted to create functional soft matter. We envision that biofabrication will provide a biocompatible approach to mesoscale science and yield products that are safe, sustainable and potentially even edible. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.Biofabrication; Emerging tools; Length scale; Modern biology; Multiple function; Nano scale; Regenerative medicine; Soft matter; Biocompatibility; Functional materials; Biologyreview10.1039/c3sm50527h2-s2.0-84881046899