Work

Engineered parasitism: Automated cyanobacteria conversion to bacterial leather for carbon sequestration

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This research addresses three pressing climate-related challenges: increasing inorganic carbon emissions, land-intensive culture media production, and unsustainable leather manufacturing practices. We propose a novel carbon sequestration pathway using Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (Syn. PCC6803), a highly photosynthetically efficient cyanobacteria, as the feedstock for the cellulose-producing bacteria, Komagataeibacter rhaeticus ( K. rhaeticus ). Our system integrates a cyanobacteria photobioreactor, an automated ultrasonic biomass processor, and a continuous-extrusion bacterial leather bioreactor that form a mechanical and hydraulic pipeline. This enables direct carbon fixation from atmospheric CO 2 into bacterial cellulose, providing a biodegradable leather alternative. Mechanical testing of the bacterial leather demonstrated a peak stress of 32 . 5 ± 5 . 6 MPa, maximum strain of 5 . 05 ± 1 . 1 % and a Young’s modulus of 0 . 603 ± 0 . 045 GPa, indicating promising initial results with potential for enhancement through surface treatment. Additionally, this work optimizes cyclic media reuse, recirculating used culture media from K. rhaeticus back to Syn. PCC6803 which is in turn cultured for K. rhaeticus feedstock, thereby maximizing metabolic efficiency. With high pressure liquid chromatography on the Syn. PCC6803 hydrolyzate, we verified that it contains glucose concentration up to 5.08 mg L −1 , potentially lending itself as a nutrient-rich feedstock for K. rhaeticus . Our experiments indicated that cell turbidity of K. rhaeticus in cyanobacteria lysate media alone could achieve a peak 189% increase relative to Hestrin–Schramm (HS) media as a control. This project demonstrates a scalable biomanufacturing approach, transforming inorganic atmospheric carbon into organic carbon products in the form of bacterial leather.

Source: Algal Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2026.104693

Authors: Ingie Baho, Yitong Tseo, Amber Brown, Vineet Padia, Ian Hunter

Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Cellulose Research Studies

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,190