ABSTRACT
UV-protective coatings on live bacterial cells were created from the assembly of cationic and UV-absorbing anionic polyelectrolytes using layer-by-layer (LbL) methodology. A cationic polymer (polyallylamine) and three different anionic polymers with varying absorbance in the UV range (poly(vinyl sulfate), poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid), and humic acid) were used to encapsulate Escherichia coli cells with two different green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression systems: constitutive expression of a UV-excitable GFP (GFPuv) and regulated expression of the intensely fluorescent GFP from amphioxus (GFPa1) through a theophylline-inducible riboswitch. Riboswitches activate protein expression after specific ligand-RNA binding events. Hence, they operate as a cellular biosensor that will activate reporter protein synthesis after exposure to a ligand target. E. coli cells coated with UV-absorbing polymers demonstrated enhanced protection of GFP stability, metabolic activity, and viability after prolonged exposure to radiation from a germicidal lamp. The results show the effectiveness of LbL coatings to provide UV protection to living cells for biotechnological applications.
Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques , Escherichia coli/cytology , Polymers/chemistry , Sunscreening Agents/chemistry , Ultraviolet Rays , Green Fluorescent Proteins/chemistry , Surface PropertiesABSTRACT
Effective entrapment of whole bacterial cells onto solid-phase materials can significantly improve bioprocessing and other biotechnology applications. Cell immobilization allows integration of biocatalysts in a manner that maintains long-term cell viability and typically enhances process output. A wide variety of functionalized materials have been explored for microbial cell immobilization, and specific advantages and limitations were identified. The method described here is a simple, versatile, and scalable one-step process for the chemical vapor deposition of silica to encapsulate and stabilize viable, whole bacterial cells. The immobilized bacterial population is prepared and captured at a predefined physiological state so as to affix bacteria with a selected metabolic or catalytic capability to compatible materials and surfaces. Immobilization of Shewanella oneidensis to carbon electrodes and immobilization of Acinetobacter venetianus to adsorbent mats are described as model systems.