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Harnessing microalgae for the biosynthesis of molecular crystals
Avital Wagner1, Noam Margalit2, Yahel Fishman2
1Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba, Israel. avitalwa@post.bgu.ac.il.
Nature Biotechnology
|February 19, 2026
Summary
Microalgae can be engineered to create difficult-to-crystallize molecular materials, offering a sustainable alternative to toxic inorganic optical materials. This breakthrough enables the biosynthesis of functional crystalline materials under ambient conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Biogenic crystals like guanine offer biocompatible optical material potential.
- Controlling crystal properties in vitro is challenging.
- Microbial cells can produce metabolites but not functional crystals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To harness microalgae for biosynthesis of difficult-to-crystallize molecular materials.
- To explore dinoflagellates' ability to accumulate nitrogen heterocycles.
- To engineer crystal morphology and optical properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing microalgae (dinoflagellates) for biosynthesis.
- Accumulating nitrogen heterocycles from aqueous solutions.
- Manipulating innate cellular crystallization behavior.
Main Results:
- Dinoflagellates rapidly accumulate nitrogen heterocycles into crystals.
- A general mechanism for dissolved organic nitrogen metabolism was revealed.
- Tailored crystals, including xanthine spherulites, were generated.
Conclusions:
- Microalgae can serve as cellular factories for molecular crystal production.
- Ambient condition crystallization is achievable using intrinsic cellular mechanisms.
- Potential applications include pharmaceutical crystallization and bioremediation.
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