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.

Soil pollution remains a major environmental challenge, while conventional remediation methods are often costly and invasive. PhytoRhizoProm offers a nature-based alternative by combining plants, microorganisms and biotechnology to improve pollutant degradation and support ecological restoration. The technology harnesses plant–microbe cooperation to break down persistent contaminants and restore polluted soils in a more sustainable way. Discover how plants, bacteria and biotechnology can work...

How can complex environmental science be explained to children in an engaging and accessible way? During the Unijunior 2026 initiative in Bologna, young participants discovered the hidden world of environmental microbiology and learned how bacteria can help clean polluted soils and groundwater. Through interactive lessons connected to the NYMPHE project, children explored the science behind bioremediation and gained insight into real-life environmental challenges and solutions.