Artificial cells containing genetically engineered E. coli DH5 cells for urea and ammonia removal in kidney and liver failure

Describes a novel method of urea and ammonia removal using microencapsulated genetically engineered E. coli DH5 cells. In vitro, 100 mg of bacterial cells encapsulated in alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) membrane, in their log phase state of growth, can lower 87.89/spl plusmn/2.25% of the plasma urea within 20 minutes and 99.99% in 30 minutes. The same amount of encapsulated bacteria is also capable of lowering ammonia from 975.14/spl plusmn/70.15 /spl mu/M/L to 81.151/spl plusmn/7.37 /spl mu/M/L in 30 minutes. This new approach is significantly more efficient than the presently available methods of urea and ammonia removal.