In Situ Strategy for Biomimetic Construction of Calcium Phosphate Mineral Shells on Microbial Cells

Biomimetic construction of functional shells on cells is highly important in modifying an engineered cell surface. Herein, we report a microbial in situ mineralization strategy using Acetobacter xylinum as a model strain to explore the interactions between cell metabolism and calcium phosphate crystallization. Mineral precipitation has been observed outside the cell walls during the metabolism of bacterial cellulose. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that in situ mineralization of calcium phosphate can be realized on a microorganism surface by simply treatment of simulated body fluid. The cell survival test reveals that the prepared artificial mineral shell can be an ideal shield for cells to resist natural toxins without disturbing their normal physiological metabolism. This finding provides a robust route to in situ biomimetic construction of living cells with functional mineral shells during their metabolic process without modifying the surface characteristic.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates a microbial in situ mineralization strategy using Acetobacter xylinum to construct functional mineral shells on cell surfaces, which can serve as ideal shields for cells to resist natural toxins.