AI Summary
Researchers have developed a bioengineering method using genetically modified bacteria to produce protein cages around protein crystals. This approach has potential applications in producing advanced solid catalysts and functionalized nanomaterials.
Protein cages found in nature within microbes help weather its contents from the harsh intracellular environment — an observation with many bioengineering applications. Researchers recently developed an innovative bioengineering approach using genetically modified bacteria; these bacteria can incorporate protein cages around protein crystals. This in-cell biosynthesis method efficiently produces highly customized protein complexes, which could find applications as advanced solid catalysts and functionalized nanomaterials.