Biotechnol Adv. 2026 Jul 3:108965. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2026.108965. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cell surface display technology is a powerful biotechnological tool to anchor heterologous proteins onto the microbial cell surface by fusing them with membrane-anchoring carrier proteins. It makes biocatalysis more efficient by allowing enzymes to access substrates without cell lysis or protein purification. This review systematically outlines cell surface display technology across display strategies, regulatory mechanisms, and evaluation methods. A range of host microorganisms are first discussed. Next, strategies for improving display efficiency are comprehensively summarized from four aspects: transcriptional regulation, protein secretion, membrane anchoring, and catalytic processing. Notably, this review also systematically discusses the evaluation methods of cell surface display systems. Subsequently, applications of this technology in the production of functional sugars, functional lipids, nucleotides, and other value-added nutritional compounds are discussed. This review provides a valuable framework for the rational design and practical deployment of cell surface display systems in industrial biotechnology.

PMID:42398557 | DOI:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2026.108965