Self-decorating cells via surface-initiated enzymatic controlled radical polymerization

Through the innovative use of surface-displayed horseradish peroxidase, this work explores the enzymatic catalysis of both bioRAFT polymerization and bioATRP to prompt polymer synthesis on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, with bioATRP outperforming bioRAFT polymerization. The resulting surface modification of living yeast cells with synthetic polymers allows for a significant change in yeast phenotype, including growth profile, aggregation characteristics, and conjugation of non-native enzymes to the clickable polymers on the cell surface, opening new avenues in bioorthogonal cell-surface engineering.

Automated summary

This work utilizes surface-displayed horseradish peroxidase to explore enzymatic catalysis in bioRAFT polymerization and bioATRP, facilitating polymer synthesis on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. BioATRP outperforms bioRAFT polymerization in this study. The modification of living yeast cells with synthetic polymers allows for significant changes in yeast phenotype and provides new possibilities in bioorthogonal cell-surface engineering.