A genetically engineered Escherichia coli SE5000 strain simultaneously expressing nickel transport system and metallothionein was constructed to accumulate Ni2+ from aqueous solution. Bioaccumulation was fast and followed linearized Langmuir isotherm. Compared with 1.62 mg/g of Ni2+ uptake capacity by original host E. coli cells, genetically engineered E. coli could bind 7.14 mg/g Ni2+, and it accumulated Ni2+ effectively over a broad range of pH (4-10) and the optimal pH was 8.6. The presence of 1000mg/l Na+ and Ca2+ or 50 mg/l Cd2+ and Pb2+ did not decrease Ni2+ bioaccumulation significantly, but Mg2+, Hg2+, Cr3+ and Cu2+ posed severe deleterious influences on Ni2+ uptake by genetically engineered E. coli. Furthermore, the presence of EDTA inhibited nickel bioaccumulation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.