Periplasmic biomineralization for semi-artificial photosynthesis

Abstract

Semiconductor-based biointerfaces are typically established either on the surface of the plasma membrane or within the cytoplasm. In Gram-negative bacteria, the periplasmic space, characterized by its confinement and the presence of numerous enzymes and peptidoglycans, offers additional opportunities for biomineralization, allowing for nongenetic modulation interfaces. We demonstrate semiconductor nanocluster precipitation containing single- and multiple-metal elements within the periplasm, as observed through various electron- and x-ray-based imaging techniques. The periplasmic semiconductors are metastable and display defect-dominant fluorescent properties. Unexpectedly, the defect-rich (i.e., the low-grade) semiconductor nanoclusters produced in situ can still increase adenosine triphosphate levels and malate production when coupled with photosensitization. We expand the sustainability levels of the biohybrid system to include reducing heavy metals at the primary level, building living bioreactors at the secondary level, and creating semi-artificial photosynthesis at the tertiary level. The biomineralization-enabled periplasmic biohybrids have the potential to serve as defect-tolerant platforms for diverse sustainable applications.

Exploring Present and Future Directions in Nano-Enhanced Optoelectronic Neuromodulation

“…(f) Malate production in E. coli with CdS nanoclusters increases significantly under light compared to dark conditions. Panels d–f are adapted with permission from ref . Copyright 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science.…”

“…The field of biomineralization offers new opportunities. Recent achievements in semiartificial photosynthesis (Figures 5d−f) through periplasmic biomineralization within Escherichia coli cells 53 have set the stage for the in situ formation of semiconductor-based biointerfaces. These insights indicate the potential of harnessing the inherent properties of neurons and glial cells to create dynamic, adaptive nanostructured interfaces, potentially eliminating the necessity for genetic modifications.…”

Dual-mode harvest solar energy for photothermal Cu2-xSe biomineralization and seawater desalination by biotic-abiotic hybrid

“…For whole-cell hybrid photocatalysis, nanoparticles act as solar energy receivers, and living organisms provide catalytic sites. It has been demonstrated that photoelectrons generated from surface-anchored CdS semiconductors or periplasmic biomineralized CdS nanoclusters could be directly transported into cytoplasmic enzymes for photocatalysis via redox membrane-binding proteins 4 , 9 . The coupling performance is partly governed by the balance between photoelectron generation and utilization.…”

Utilizing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Sunlight in Graphene Quantum Dot-Based Nano-Biohybrid Organisms for Making Carbon-Negative and Carbon-Neutral Products

“…Through the combination of light-harvesting nanostructures with redox enzymes, several groups have developed photobiocatalytic or photobioelectrocatalytic processes to fix CO 2 /N 2 into complex chemicals with high specificity. − These studies have provided valuable insights into photosensitization or charge-injection-driven biocatalysis that can utilize renewable photons as redox equivalents to replace the natural, high-cost biological redox sources. Furthermore, photosensitization of live bacteria (nanobiohybrids or nanorgs) that can directly utilize CO 2 /N 2 has simplified the process of utilizing different energy photons to enable value-added biochemical production with high efficiency and selectivity. − …”