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Through various experiments, they found that the resulting crystals had a core-shell structure, namely a cubic PhC core about 400 nanometers wide covered in five or six layers of H1-Fr cages.

"H1-Fr cages have the potential to immobilize external molecules inside them for molecular delivery," remarks Prof. Ueno, "Our results indicate that the H1-Fr/PhC core-shell structures, displaying H1-Fr cages on the outer surface of the PhC core, can be individually controlled at the nanoscale level. By accumulating different functional molecules in the PhC core and H1-Fr cage, hierarchical nanoscale-controlled crystals can be constructed for advanced biotechnological applications."

"Ferritin has been widely used as a template for constructing bio-nano materials by modifying its internal and external surfaces. Thus, if the formation of a Fr cage and its subsequent immobilization onto PhC can be performed simultaneously in a single cell, the applications of in-cell protein crystals as bio-hybrid materials will be expanded," explains Prof. Ueno.

PHC said 140,000 litres of oily water has so far been recovered along with five tonnes of polluted beach and soil material.

PHC has also urged members of the public not to try and help with the clean-up.