Scientists Create Dental and Bone Implants from Human Urine Using Synthetic Yeast

In a surprising breakthrough, scientists have developed a way to turn human urine into material for dental and bone implants — offering a novel method to reduce waste while supporting the medical industry.

The discovery, detailed in a study published in Nature Communications, reveals how a group of researchers from the University of California, Irvine, alongside experts from the U.S. and Japan, used a specially engineered yeast to transform urine into hydroxyapatite (HAp) — a mineral that naturally forms part of human teeth and bones.

This substance, already used in implants, biodegradable products, and archaeological restorations, is expected to exceed $3.5 billion in market value by 2030. The team’s method uses a lab-made yeast named "osteoyeast," which mimics how bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) function. The yeast breaks down urea in urine and raises the surrounding pH, triggering the accumulation of calcium and phosphate. These minerals then form hydroxyapatite, which is released by the yeast.

“This process achieves two goals at the same time,” said David Kisailus, professor at UC Irvine. “On the one hand, it helps remove human urine from wastewater streams, mitigating environmental pollution and the buildup of unwanted nutrients; on the other, it produces a material that can be commercially marketed for use in a variety of settings.”

Producing one gram of HAp from a liter of urine, the method takes less than 24 hours and doesn’t require high-tech tools. The yeast can be grown in large containers at moderate temperatures, similar to beer fermentation. This makes it affordable and especially useful in regions with limited infrastructure.

Urine is often discarded as waste, but its nutrient-rich composition can harm ecosystems if not managed properly. This innovation not only treats the waste but also transforms it into something valuable.

The team is already thinking beyond implants. With hydroxyapatite being strong yet lightweight, researchers hope to use this process in 3D printing and in developing materials for energy-related applications.

Kisailus added, “We are currently developing strategies to leverage this yeast platform with our 3D printing and structural knowledge to create multifunctional architected materials.”

This project received support from the U.S. Department of Energy, DARPA, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.