An outer membrane‐inspired polymer coating protects and endows Escherichia coli with novel functionalities

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Belluati, Andrea and Harley, Iain and Lieberwirth, Ingo and Bruns, Nico (2023) An outer membrane‐inspired polymer coating protects and endows Escherichia coli with novel functionalities. Small, 19 (46). 2303384. ISSN 1613-6810 (https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202303384)

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Abstract

A bio-inspired membrane made of Pluronic L-121 is produced around Escherichia coli thanks to the simple co-extrusion of bacteria and polymer vesicles. The block copolymer-coated bacteria can withstand various harsh shocks, for example, temperature, pressure, osmolarity, and chemical agents. The polymer membrane also makes the bacteria resistant to enzymatic digestion and enables them to degrade toxic compounds, improving their performance as whole-cell biocatalysts. Moreover, the polymer membrane acts as an anchor layer for the surface modification of the bacteria. Being decorated with α-amylase or lysozyme, the cells are endowed with the ability to digest starch or self-predatory bacteria are created. Thus, without any genetic engineering, the phenotype of encapsulated bacteria is changed as they become sturdier and gain novel metabolic functionalities.

ORCID iDs

Belluati, Andrea, Harley, Iain, Lieberwirth, Ingo and Bruns, Nico ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6199-9995;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:86167
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    15 November 2023
    Published
    14 July 2023
    Published Online
    6 July 2023
    Accepted
    25 April 2023
    Submitted
    Subjects:Science > Chemistry
    Department:Faculty of Science > Pure and Applied Chemistry
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:18 Jul 2023 14:41
    Last modified:11 Nov 2024 14:00
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/86167
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