Bacteria Could Be Engineered to Produce Natural Bio-Sunscreen

Cyanobacteria Wikimedia Commons

Scientists have figured out how blue-green algae protects itself from ultraviolet rays, in a breakthrough that could lead to a new breed of sunscreens and anti-wrinkle treatments.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, manufacture special sunscreen molecules called mycosporines and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). The compounds protect the bacteria by absorbing ultraviolet light, an important trait for organisms that thrived on sunlight before the Earth’s atmosphere was thick enough to block harmful radiation.

Researchers have long known about these bio-sunscreens — at least one cosmetics company already uses blue-green algae MAAs to make an anti-wrinkle cream called Helioguard 365.

Now, scientists have figured out how the compounds are made, paving the way for biosynthetic versions.

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Science, Rebecca Boyle, algae, bacteria, e. coli, genetics, green algae, skin cancer, sunscreen

Typical sunscreen lotions are made from compounds that both absorb and reflect UV light, preventing it from reaching your skin. But they don’t block all types of UV radiation. A study this spring by the Environmental Working Group even suggested sunscreens can cause skin cancer, because they contain a vitamin A compound that causes skin damage. A natural biological compound that absorbs UV light would be a major step forward in skin protection.

Just four enzymes were involved in synthesizing the MAAs, the study says. Each MAA has two amino acids linked to a central group, and the links help determine the wavelength and strength of UV absorbance, New Scientist reports.

The authors say their work could lead to new methods for making bio-sunscreens.

[New Scientist]