University of Illinois Team Engineers E. coli to Manufacture Molecules Using Light-Activated Enzymes
Ritambhara K
February 2, 2026
University of Illinois scientists, led by Professor Huimin Zhao, have successfully engineered E. coli bacteria to produce molecules using light-driven enzymatic reactions. This first-of-its-kind photobiocatalysis platform inside living cells enables six new-to-nature chemical transformations, expanding the future of sustainable biomanufacturing.
