Engineered bacterial spores reveal new protein targets for enzymes and vaccines

Tufts researchers have discovered new methods to enhance the use of bacterial spores as catalysts for chemical reactions, biofuel production, and the breakdown of pollutants. This expands the potential of bioengineering, allowing scientists to leverage biological processes refined over millions of years of evolution to create beneficial products.

A remarkable quality of bioengineering is that scientists can take biological processes honed by millions of years of evolution and use them to efficiently create drugs, chemicals and other products to improve our lives. Now Tufts researchers have found new ways to expand the potential for using bacterial spores as catalysts for chemical reactions, biofuel production or breaking down pollutants.