Grantee Research Project Results
Microbial Community Models for Measuring Survival and Persistence of SynBio Microbes in Soil
EPA Grant Number: R840206Title: Microbial Community Models for Measuring Survival and Persistence of SynBio Microbes in Soil
Investigators: Farny, Natalie G
Institution: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Project Period: July 1, 2021 through May 10, 2025
Project Amount: $449,213
RFA: Assessment Tools for Biotechnology Products (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Chemical Safety for Sustainability , Safer Chemicals
Description:
Many synbio organisms have been developed in recent years for soil-related applications including biosensing, bioremediation, and pathogen control. However, it is unclear how to deploy these synbio solutions safely, as it is difficult to predict survival and persistence of a genetically engineered microbe (GEM) in the soil environment.
Objective:
The overarching goal of the work proposed here is to understand, predict, and control the relationships between natural soil microbial communities (SMCs)and GEMs. We hypothesize that changes in dominant SMC species affect the survival and persistence of GEMs, and that understanding these relationships will permit us to manipulate SMCs to control GEMs. The two primary objectives are: 1) to apply our current understanding of the composition of natural SMCs to create laboratory model SMCs to measure survival and persistence of GEMs; and 2) Assess the capacity of dominant SMC phylotypes to control the survival and persistence of GEMs.
Approach:
We will use three different approaches to recreate SMCs in the lab and measure the survival and persistence of GEMs in each of the soil environments. We will apply the latest technologies, including nanopore sequencing and flow cytometry, to measure SMC composition and GEM survival and persistence. We will further investigate the possibility of applying native soil microbes as a biocontainment strategy for GEMs.
Expected Results:
Specific outputs of the project include: Three model systems for assessing GEM survival and persistence in soil under controlled laboratory conditions; A technical protocol for high-throughput measurement of GEM survival in soil which will benefit the research community; A novel risk assessment strategy for introducing GEMs to soil that evaluates SMC composition as a key factor; A novel GEM control strategy that utilizes a method to identify and test potential biocontrol species from within a target SMC. Specific outcomes include: Improved ability to model and predict the behavior of GEMs in a soil environment, which enable more informed risk assessment for GEM release; Safer and better-informed deployment of GEMs for contaminant detection and bioremediation of contaminated soils; Improved human and environmental health as the tools of synbio can be safely harnessed by industries or communities to positively impact the environment.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Supplemental Keywords: Risk assessment, bioremediation, biocontainment, soil ecology, TNT, soil, bacteria, microbial community, genetically engineered microbeProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.