Octopuses and other cephalopods have long amazed scientists with their ability to blend into surroundings — a biological feat powered by special color-changing skin.

Now, researchers at the University of California San Diego have taken a major step toward recreating that natural marvel.

In a groundbreaking study, the team successfully bioengineered bacteria to produce xanthommatin, a rare pigment responsible for the shifting colors seen in octopus and squid skin. Until now, the pigment had been nearly impossible to harvest or replicate in large quantities.

Led by marine chemist Bradley Moore from Scripps Oceanography, the team devised a new method that enables microbes to produce the pigment at an unprecedented scale. Using a process called growth-coupled biosynthesis, they achieved up to 1,000 times higher yields of xanthommatin compared to any previous approach.

Instead of making the pigment directly, the scientists trained bacteria to do it — essentially “tricking” microbes into mass-producing the compound.

How the technique works

Bacteria generally avoid making unnecessary materials that consume energy. To overcome this, lead author Leah Bushin and her colleagues engineered “dependent” bacterial cells that could only survive if they kept producing xanthommatin and another molecule, formic acid.

The clever feedback loop meant that the bacteria’s survival was tied to pigment production. “We made it such that activity through this pathway, of making the compound of interest, is absolutely essential for life,” Bushin explained.

As a result, the bacteria produced up to 3 grams of pigment per liter — a huge leap from the previous yield of just 5 milligrams per liter.

Moments of discovery

The experiment’s success was a moment of triumph for the researchers. “It was one of my best days in the lab,” Bushin recalled. “When I came in the next morning and realized it was producing a lot of pigment, I was thrilled. Moments like that are why I do science.”

The study not only demonstrates how bacteria can be harnessed for complex material production but also paves the way for more efficient biomanufacturing methods in the future.

Beyond octopus powers: Industrial potential

According to co-author Adam Feist, a bioengineer at UC San Diego, the project showcases how biology can transform manufacturing.

“This project gives a glimpse into a future where biology enables the sustainable production of valuable compounds and materials through advanced automation and computational design,” Feist said.

By combining the expertise of engineers, chemists, and biologists, the study offers new possibilities for sustainable production — from synthetic pigments to pharmaceuticals.

The successful creation of xanthommatin through bacteria marks a leap forward in both camouflage research and biomanufacturing technology.

While scientists have only begun to explore its full applications, this innovation could someday inspire new materials that mimic the octopus’s natural adaptability — blending science, sustainability, and the secrets of the sea.