Staphylococcal surface display and its applications

Novel surface proteins can be introduced onto the bacterial cell surface by recombinant means. Here, we describe the development of such display syste ms for two food-grade bacteria, Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus, and present how such engineered bacteria can be used in different applications. A study will be described in which such staphylococci were em ployed as vaccine delivery vehicles to elicit protective antibody responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The use of surface-engineered staphy lococci as novel microbial biocatalysts, as a new type of whole-cell diagno stic devices or for adsorption of metal ions with potential environmental o r biosensor applications, will also be discussed.