In California, a team at University of California, Irvine have developed a method to convert human urine into hydroxyapatite, a mineral naturally found in bones and teeth. The innovation could offer a sustainable, low-cost source of materials for medical implants and industrial applications.
The work, which is published in a recent issue of Nature Communications, centered on the genetically modified yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. The UC Irvine team engineered the yeast to break down urea, a nitrogen-rich compound in urine. The yeast then transforms it into hydroxyapatite in under 24 hours.
Hydroxyapatite is prized in medicine for its compatibility with the human body, making it ideal for bone and dental implants. According to co-author David Kisailus of UC Irvine, the team is exploring ways to use the material in 3D printing, potentially expanding its use to construction, biodegradable plastics, and archaeological restoration. Currently, one liter of urine yields about one gram of the mineral.
The work was funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.