The bacterial isolates Lysinibacillus sphaericus JG-A12 and JG-B53 were isolated from a uranium mining waste pile that is contaminated with multiple heavy metal ions. Genome analyses of Bacillus sp. JG-B53 were used to identify bacterial strategies to handle heavy metal polluted environments. The heterologous expression of the silent S-layer like protein gene sllB of L. sphaericus JG-A12 in E. coli induced distinct morphological modifications. Investigations identified SllB, to inhibit bacterial cell division. The filamentous structures were used for the design of polyelectrolyte capsules.