Lead:
Bangor University – Prof Peter Golyshin, Prof Alexander Yakunin Prof Davey Jones; PDRA2 & 3
Partners:
University of Essex- Boyd McKewe
East Anglia: David Lea-Smith
Heriot-Watt university – Tony Gutierrez
Cranfield University – Prof Frederic Coulon and Tao Lyu
University of Glasgow: Cindy Smith Newcastle
University: Thomas Curtis, Natalio Koregaon
Challenges:
Substrate complexity, system robustness, genetic manipulation, consortia design, and scale-up. Industrial effluents and landfills contain diverse and complex pollutants, necessitating a deep understanding of microbial metabolic capabilities. Ensuring system robustness and stability amidst varying environmental conditions is crucial. Genetic manipulation and strain design techniques must be refined to optimise pollutant degradation. Constructing microbial consortia with synergistic interactions poses challenges in maintaining stability and productivity, especially during scale up. All our engineered strains will be version controlled and barcoded.
Potential solutions:
Identifying, isolating, and optimising microorganisms and their enzymes and products (biosurfactants) to target specific pollutants (e.g., hydrocarbons, plastics and PFAS) degradation. This process will be through laboratory screening and detailed characterisation. Biosurfactants for instance, could replace synthetic surfactants for environmental oil spill response and are one of the most in-demand biotechnological compounds as the surfactant market is expected to reach $60 Billion p.a. by 2030. Selected species identified will be tested for their ability to be modified using delivery strategies detailed in Technical Pillar 1, and then engineered for enhanced biodegradation using the modular cloning systems described, via genetic engineering approaches already successfully applied in Alloalcanivorax and Alcanivorax isolates and Pseudomonas putida.
Genetically modifying and enhancing the biodegradation capabilities of strains known for hydrocarbon degradation, including
Alcanivorax, Thalassolituus, Oleispira, Oleiphilus, Marinobacter and Cycloclasticus, as well as constructing microbial chassis for the heterologous overexpression of a range of biosurfactants (e.g., rhamnolipids, glucolipids, sophorolipids) that are known to enhance biodegradation (we have a putida model chassis, and Pichia if required). Additionally, strains known for PFAS degradation belonging to Pseudomonas, Acidimicrobium and Rhodococcus, will be targeted for genetic modification using enzymes from Dechloromonas and Rhodopseudomonas spp., to enable biodegradation to kick-start within 24 hours.
Demonstrating the effectiveness of engineered microorganisms and engineered consortia for remediating industrial effluents, seawater and landfills through full scale bioengineered treatment systems and achieving a measurable reduction in pollutant concentrations. Biosurfactant testing as environmental oil dispersants can be facilitated via our Collaborative Partner, Oil Spill Response Ltd. The results will be compared with conventional bioremediation approaches and relevant regulations. Where possible, we will generate markerless mutants. If needed, the integration with other treatment technology will be conducted to ensure safe discharge.
Lead:
Brunel University London – Ronan McCarthy
Partners:
Cranfield University: Prof Frederic Coulon, Tao Lyu, Prof Bruce Jefferson
University of Southampton: Yongqiang Liu, Prof Sonia Heaven
University of Glasgow: Prof Cindy Smith
Newcastle University: Prof Thomas Curtis, Prof Natalio Krasnogor
Challenges:
Designing biofilm formation and stability in water streams present considerable challenges; biofilms are inherently heterogeneous, with variations in microbial composition, spatial organisation, and metabolic activities. Ensuring uniform pollutant capture and distribution within biofilms and maintaining the integrity of engineered biofilms over time, especially preserving keystone species, is crucial for continuous pollutant capture in competitive systems. Strategies to bolster biofilm robustness, facilitate self-repair mechanisms, and develop scalable manufacturing processes are needed. Integration into existing water treatment systems and addressing engineering constraints are also key considerations.
Potential solutions:
Developing synthetic genetic circuits that offer tuneable control over biofilm formation, facilitating species maintenance and biofilm self-healing. Concurrently, we plan a prototype of a biofilm-based system capable of capturing and removing specific pollutants from potable water streams.
Optimising the performance and scalability of the biofilm-based system for deployment in real-world settings, like water treatment plants or industrial facilities, for effective pollutant capture and removal efficiency.
Establishing standardised and widely adopted biofilm technologies for continuous and efficient capture of diverse classes of pollutants in potable water streams. We will evaluate the potential ecological impacts, assess the release of genetically modified organisms, and address concerns related to biofilm dissemination and persistence in the environment.
Lead:
Prof Frederic Coulon, Tao Lyu
Partners:
Brunel University London: Ronan McCarthy;
University of Southampton: Yongqiang Liu, Prof Sonia Heaven
Newcastle University: Prof Thomas Curtis, Prof Natalio Krasnogor
Challenges:
Designing synthetic biological systems that can efficiently metabolise and degrade complex and chemically diverse recalcitrant pollutants; maintaining bioreactor stability and robustness, efficient delivery of genetic constructs, precise control of gene expression, and preserving genetic stability of bioreactors over time, as well as scaling-up and optimising the process.
Potential solutions:
Establish small-scale biological reactors (e.g., biofilter, moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), and constructed wetland) for the removal of specific pollutants (e.g., microplastics and PFAS). Selected microorganisms with synthetic circuits (e.g., Acinetobacter calcoaceticus with suicide genes from Serratia marcescens) will be used to intensify the conventional bioremediation processes. The performances and potential risks (e.g., antimicrobial resistance development) under different conditions and competition to obtain the best operation strategy.
Optimising and scaling up the most promising bioremediation strategies to address contamination in larger areas or at industrial sites.
Establishing proven and cost-effective bioremediation strategies that can be applied to various types of pollutants and contaminated sites, contributing to significant environmental clean-up.
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