Inspired by the microbes that make kombucha tea, EU-funded researchers are developing a living patch that could detect and treat eczema flare-ups while opening the door to a new generation of smart materials containing living cells. The research team is exploring how engineered living materials (ELMs) could be used to create new kinds of medical treatments based on living microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast. The patch works by enclosing engineered living yeast cells within a matrix of bacterial cellulose. The researchers are developing two very different materials from the same bacterial cellulose base used in the therapeutic patch. A living alternativeSuccess here could take engineered living materials far beyond wearable patches.