Metal-organic frameworks as versatile geobacter platforms for microbial protection and functionalization

Microorganisms represent indispensable biocatalysts in biotechnology, yet their broader application is hindered by inherent limitations such as environmental sensitivity and operational instability. The emergence of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has provided a revolutionary platform to address these challenges. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances and applications of synergistic systems between MOFs and microorganisms. We specifically highlight the multifunctional roles of MOFs in microbial immobilization, including their capacity as physical barriers to enhance cellular stability, their tunable porosity and surface chemistry for precise metabolic regulation, and their function as catalytic units to construct cascade reaction systems with microorganisms. Furthermore, advances in MOF synthesis technologies and deeper insights into MOF-microorganism interface interactions enabling this interdisciplinary field to show great potential for precisely regulating biocatalytic processes. Rational design of multifunctional MOF-based protective layers is expected to realize more efficient and stable microbial applications in extreme industrial environments in the future.