A simple one-step synthesis of beta-D-galactopyranosyl azide from o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside and azide catalyzed by E461G-beta-galactosidase is described. The synthesis is quantitative in the presence of excess azide and only the beta anomer is produced. The product was purified (71% yield) from the other reaction components by extraction with ethyl acetate, silica gel chromatography, and crystallization. The purity was verified by GLC, TLC, and NMR. Thus, E461G-beta-galactosidase is able to specifically and quantitatively form beta-D-galactopyranosyl-azide. The purified beta-D-galactopyranosyl azide inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli that express beta-galactosidase but not of E. coli that do not. Growth is stopped because beta-galactosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the beta-galactopyranosyl-azide, and the azide that is produced inhibits cell growth. This selective inhibition of growth has potential application in molecular biology screening.