Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of genetically modifying bacteria to create amyloid-based materials, such as biofilms created by amyloid fibers, having nonnative functional polypeptides expressed thereon and connected thereto by a linker domain optimized for functioning of the non-native functional polypeptides. According to one aspect, the linker domain is optimized for functioning of a CsgA protein as is it assembled into an amyloid state and for functioning of the functional polypeptide. Exemplary biofilms may include living bacterial cells, non-living bacterial cells or combinations of living bacterial cells and non-living bacterial cells. Methods of making biofilms having non-native functional polypeptides attached thereto are provided.
