Researchers have modified bacteria to manufacture gadusol, a UV-protective substance found in fish eggs. The advance could support development of transparent, eco-friendly sunscreens. The work was led by a team at Jiangnan University in China.
A team led by Ping Zhang inserted genes from zebrafish into Escherichia coli. The bacteria gained the enzymes needed to make gadusol, which occurs naturally in small amounts in the eggs of zebrafish, salmon and sturgeon as well as in coral. By using small RNA molecules and adjusting growth conditions, the scientists raised output nearly 93 times to 4.2 grams per litre of medium from an earlier 45.2 milligrams per litre.
