Automated Evolution of Microbes for Pollutant Degradation
- Nymphe
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Can we teach bacteria to evolve faster than nature allows – and use that ability to clean up some of the most persistent environmental pollutants? Within the NYMPHE project, we are developing a cutting-edge synthetic biology platform designed to accelerate the discovery and optimisation of new biodegradative functions in bacteria. The goal is not only to identify novel catabolic pathways, but also to rapidly adapt them to microbial hosts capable of operating in real environmental conditions.
Technology overview: Automated Synthetically-primed evolution of new biodegradative activities
Objective
The goal of this technology is to accelerate the discovery of novel catabolic and biodegradative pathways for the compounds targeted in the project, and to rapidly adapt these pathways to suitable bacterial hosts. This platform enables the identification of new catabolic functions and their enhancement through the application of modern synthetic biology tools. The approach is currently being tested on the degradation of both model compounds - such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene - and environmentally relevant micropollutants like diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol.
Technology description
The process begins by introducing genes encoding biotransformation activities into the genome of a bacterial chassis already accredited for bioremediation, such as Pseudomonas putida. However, these genes are initially unoptimized for the host’s biochemical and genomic context. Using a process of recursive laboratory evolution, assisted by an OpenTrons-type robotic platform (see accompanying video), we can eventually generate strains with remarkable degradation capabilities. These result from a kind of "molecular negotiation" between the inserted genetic material and the pre-existing regulatory and metabolic networks of the host.
Beyond the State of the Art
What makes this strategy novel is its integration of adaptive laboratory evolution with synthetic biology - two approaches that have traditionally been seen as somewhat incompatible. Their combination, however, yields entirely new and powerful biocatalysts for the elimination of persistent environmental pollutants.
Key Results of Technology Development
At present, the technology remains at the prototype stage, but preliminary results are highly promising, pointing to the potential for generating whole-cell catalysts capable of degrading compounds that have so far been considered highly resistant or recalcitrant to bioremediation.
Speaker: Victor de Lorenzo, Professor of Molecular Environmental Microbiology at the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC
Interviewer: Agnieszka Sznyk, PhD, President of the Board, The Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development, INNOWO.
At the core of the NYMPHE Project are innovative technologies aimed at restoring polluted environments - from advanced wastewater treatment and soil remediation to cutting-edge microbiome modelling.
To bring these innovations closer to you, we’ve launched a series of interviews with NYMPHE partners. In each episode, experts explain their technologies and the impact they can have - breaking down complex science into clear, accessible insights.
MICROBIOME TECHNOLOGY: Automated Synthetically-Primed Evolution
of new biodegradative activities.
In our Technology Booklet, we showcase 10 solutions currently under development:
4 wastewater treatment technologies
3 soil remediation technologies
3 microbiome modelling approaches
Read the full technology overview: https://www.nympheproject.eu/technologies
This interview is a part of Nymphe project (New system-driven bioremediation of polluted habitats and environment)
More about project: https://www.nympheproject.eu/
Project funded by the European Union
Grant Agreement ID: 101060625
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