Talk as part of a colloquium in Polymer chemistry and technology.

Summary: Living systems display embodied intelligence: cells sense, process information, and adapt through self-regulation and communication. We ask how far such capabilities can be translated to soft matter. Our approach co-designs the material “body” — architecture and mechanics — with a regulatory “brain” that realizes the sensor-processor-actuator paradigm. I will discuss four directions. Chemical Brains: Reaction networks and chemical computing using DNA and pH feedback as molecular software. Artificial Cells: all-DNA condensates and polymer capsules as minimal agents with metabolism, signaling, homeostasis and for ecologies. Mechano-Materials: chemo-mechanical feedback for autonomous actuation, self-strengthening and memory. Interactive Biomaterials: artificial cells and DNA-programmed matrices communicate with living cells toward closed-loop mechanobiology and homeostatic therapies.