Engineering Escherichia coli for Urease-Driven Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanomaterials

The development of functional nanomaterials with controlled morphologies is essential for advancements in medicine, electronics and computing, energy, catalysis, and environmental applications. However, conventional synthesis methods often demand high energy input and pose significant environmental challenges. Urease-based biomineralization presents an efficient, eco-friendly alternative for nanomaterial production under mild conditions. In this study, we engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) to express a urease gene cluster from Sporosarcina pasteurii using CRAGE-Duet technology. The engineered strain successfully synthesized calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate crystals. Expanding the approach, we synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles, including hematite (Fe₂O₃), and nanocrystalline anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂). These nanomaterials were characterized by electron microscopy, demonstrating the potential of E. coli as a sustainable and versatile platform for green nanomaterial synthesis.