Reichman University Scientists Create Biological Shield to Protect Metals from Seawater

Researchers at Reichman University have engineered a biological strategy to shield marine infrastructure from corrosion driven by long-term exposure to seawater. Published in Cell Reports Physical Science, the work proposes a greener route to metal protection that could reduce dependence on conventional chemical corrosion inhibitors.

The approach centers on a multi-species bacterial consortium collected from seawater environments. Rather than relying on a single organism, the team designed a cooperative community that can establish a dense, resilient protective coating directly on metal surfaces.

Laboratory tests show that this microbial layer substantially slows corrosion of metals such as steel and iron. The effect is attributed to coordinated biochemical and mineral-forming processes that transform the metal interface into a less reactive environment for seawater ions.

Technically, different bacterial species contribute distinct functions. Some species help set up favorable microenvironments on the surface—supporting the growth conditions required for mineral deposition—while others secrete enzymes that facilitate formation of a stable mineral phase.

The resulting coating is described as naturally occurring and durable, behaving as a barrier that limits the pathways through which seawater promotes rust and material degradation. The consortium’s stability is especially relevant under harsh marine conditions, where conventional protection can degrade over time.

A key innovation is the observed advantage of multi-species cooperation. The researchers report that combining bacterial roles yields stronger, more robust long-term protection than approaches based on monocultures.

Beyond corrosion prevention, the study demonstrates how synthetic biology can translate ecological behaviors into engineering outcomes. By harnessing microbial cooperation, the system offers an interface-focused solution that targets the chemical drivers at the metal boundary.

If scaled, this technology could support safer, longer-lasting operation of ports, offshore platforms, ships, and other marine structures. The team also emphasizes potential cost reductions by lowering maintenance frequency and material replacement demands, alongside environmental benefits from reduced chemical usage.

Funding for the research came from the Israel Science Foundation and Binational Science Foundation–U.S. National Science Foundation grants, conducted across the Scojen Institute for Synthetic Biology at Reichman University in collaboration with the Holon Institute of Technology.