Engineered Ureolytic Microorganisms Can Tailor the Morphology and Nanomechanical Properties of Microbial-Precipitated Calcium Carbonate.

ABSTRACT: We demonstrate for the first time that the morphology and nanomechanical properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) can be tailored by modulating the precipitation kinetics of ureolytic microorganisms through genetic engineering. Many engineering applications employ microorganisms to produce CaCO₃. However, control over bacterial calcite morphology and material properties has not been demonstrated. We hypothesized that microorganisms genetically engineered for low urease activity would achieve larger calcite crystals with higher moduli. We compared precipitation kinetics, morphology, and nanomechanical properties for biogenic CaCO₃ produced by two Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains that were engineered to display either high or low urease activity and the nati

SUBMITTER: Heveran CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6789151 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature