Sustainable nanotechnology enabled by bio-manufacturing: ‘the cell as a production plant’

Abstract

The goal of this research was to explore the ability of biological cells to be a production plant for controlled green synthesis of nanoparticles, particularly from single or multiple elements. The programmable synthesis of nanoparticles inside (intracellular) as well as outside cells (extracellular) was examined for localised and large-scale production of nanoparticles. The critical objective was also to study the cell-assisted programmable organisation and assembly of nanoparticles using genetically engineered cells. Cells of particular interest were fungi (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Biosynthesis of two types of nanoparticles was developed, which included calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles that could be used for biomedical applications and layered molybdenum sulphide (MoS₂) nanoparticles that could find applications in lubrication and storing of organic molecules.

Keywords:

• molybdenum sulphide
• calcium carbonate
• nanoparticles
• biosynthesis
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Arkansas Analytical Laboratory (AAL) at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR, for SEM, TEM and EDS facilities and technical assistance. Financial support was provided by the Arkansas Biosciences Institute and is deeply appreciated.