A bioactive synthetic porous shell was engineered to enable cells to survive in an oligotrophic environment. Eukaryotic cells (yeast) were firstly coated with a β-galactosidase (β-gal), then a metalorganic framework (MOF) film was crystallized on the enzyme coating producing a bioactive porous synthetic shell. The β-gal was an essential component of the bioactive shell as it generated nutrients (i.e. glucose and galactose) required for cell viability from nutrient deficient media (lactose-based). In addition the porous MOF coating carried out other vital functions, such as: 1) shielding the cells from cytotoxic compounds and radiation, 2) protecting the non-native enzymes (β-gal in this instance) from degradation and internalization, 3) allowing for the diffusion of molecules essential for the survival of the cells. Indeed, this bioactive porous shell enabled the survival of cells in simulated extreme oligotrophic environments for more than 7 days, leading to a decrease in cell viability less than 30%, versus a 99% decrease for naked yeast. When returned to optimal growth conditions and the bioactive porous exoskeleton could be removed and the cells regained full growth immediately. Alternative to synthetic biology or genetic modification, the construction of bioactive coatings represents a conceptually new and promising approach for the nextgeneration of cell-based research and application.Living organisms are sensitive to their environment and subtle changes in nutrient level, temperature, pressure, moisture, salinity, and pH can disrupt their biological functions, thereby leading to cell death. [1][2][3] To address this challenge, primary