E. coli surface-displayed nickel-binding peptides for preferential nickel recovery from battery wastewater: Computational modelling and experimental validation

In this study, engineered E. coli BL21(DE3) strains were constructed to display nickel-binding peptides (NBPs) on the surface via fusion to the outer membrane protein OmpC. Four NBPs were evaluated for nickel adsorption and metal-ion selectivity, using a combination of computational predictions and experimental validation. Computational analyses predicted peptide structure, localization, electrochemical properties, and Ni²⁺ binding sites. Among the tested NBPs, NBP4 exhibited the high