Specific binding of bacteria on the surface of metals can provide a new possibility in many fields including biomineralization, bioleaching, bioreactor, and biosensors. We have prepared genetically engineered bacteria that can specifically bind to titanium surface by employing titanium-binding peptide (TBP) in the bacteria cell surface. TBP was introduced in an outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Escherichia coli to provide titanium-binding ability to the cell. The OmpA carrying TBP (OmpA-TBP) was overexpressed in E. coli and displayed on the cell surface. The engineered E. coli cell was used for adsorption test to titanium plate in a HEPES buffer (pH 7.4) at room temperature. Based on fluorescent microscope analysis, OmpA-TBP-displaying cells showed high binding ability to titanium while non-engineered cells could not bind. The engineered cells also bound to glass plate as well, but did not bind to copper plate.The surface of titanium is oxidized to titanium oxide (TiO2), which shows similar property to silica glass (SiO2). This would result in the similar binding property of OmpA-TBP in titanium and glass plate. Furthermore, live/dead staining revealed the cells bound on titanium plate were still alive.

Engineered Escherichia coli cell capable of specific binding to metal surface

2019 Fall National Meeting

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