Microbial biotransformation of environmental pollutants.

Microbial biotransformation is the primary mechanism which clears xenobiotic pollutants from the environment. However for many highly abundant pollutants, there is no documented pure microbial culture shown to degrade the compound. This project aims to fill this knowledge gap using a combination of approaches. First, we are assembling a large collection of microbial strains isolated from wastewater treatment facilities. Second, we are characterising the ability of these strains to degrade environmentally relevant pollutants using LC-MS. Third, we are investigating the genes, enzymes and metabolic pathways involved in pollutant degradation by bioactive strains. 

Collaborators

Kathrin Fenner group, Eawag, Switzerland