Bacterial Uranium Binding - Basis for the Development of Innovative Materials

Within the radio-ecological research on bacteria, living in uranium mining waste piles, it was demonstrated that the microorganisms developed an intelligent detoxification strategy to survive in such an extreme habitat. They possess a special kind of surface layer (S-layer) to protect themselves from uranium. Beside fundamental research on the protein-radionuclide interaction, the S-layers were used for the development of new and innovativ materials. Immobilized on carrier materials, these proteins keep their high and selective metal binding properties and can thusly be used for (multi)functional coatings. For example, the basic technology allows the production of metal selective filter materials for the removal and recovery of metals and the production of photocatalytical active nanoclusters immobilized on different carriers or surfaces. The latter can be used for new and innovative water treatment, whereby pharmaceutical remnants and hormones will be eliminated.