DEVELOPMENT OF BACTERIUM-BASED HEAVY-METAL BIOSORBENTS - ENHANCED UPTAKE OF CADMIUM AND MERCURY BY ESCHERICHIA-COLI EXPRESSING A METAL-BINDING MOTIF

A gene coding for a de novo peptide sequence containing a metal bindin g motif was chemically synthesized and expressed in Escherichia coli a s a fusion with the maltose binding protein. Bacterial cells expressin g the metal binding peptide fusion demonstrated enhanced binding of Cd 2+ and Hg2+ compared to bacterial cells lacking the metal binding pept ide. The potential use of genetically engineered bacteria as biosorben ts for the removal of heavy metals from wastewaters is discussed.