Bioremediation strategy
In Nymphe, enzymes and (micro)organisms cooperate to decontaminate the environment. We aim to select the most promising biologics, improve the best candidates, combine them in bioremediation systems and test them on real contaminated matrices in the field or under confined conditions.
Strategic approach
Biologics selection
Systems construction and modelling
Reintroduction tests
Combinations of biologics selected in step 1 will be assembled in bioremediation systems to be reimplanted in actual contaminated matrices from Nymphe sites. Bioremediation systems will be strengthened using platforms for improving/expanding the biologics toolbox before reimplanting biologics-based systems in real habitats and environments.
Technology
Unlocking the power of biotechnology for revitalizing environments
Selection, isolation, and characterization of biologics for bioremediation of polluted sites
The Nymphe project will identify and study a series of biologics for the bioremediation of various environments.
This will improve the removal of site-specific pollutants
The biologics we plan to use:
Proteins
Nymphe will use bioinformatic methods to design evolved enzymes degrading the target pollutants and expressing these enzymes in microorganisms.
Single microorganisms
Bacteria, fungi, and microalgae and microbial consortia selected from international and partner proprietary collections. Nymphe will also isolate and enrich microorganisms expressing naturally efficient degradative enzymes.
Microbiomes
These are complex microbial communities that make a central element of both biologics systems before reintroduction on-site and of the matrix of the contaminated sites. The Nymphe project will characterize and model microbiomes and will develop strategies to control their structures and activity.
Plants
Nymphe will work with natural and genetically edited plants and their optimized colonization for efficient degradation/transformation/accumulation of heavy metals and organic pollutants.
Animals
Nymphe will exploit the efficacy of bivalves and their shells (biosorption) to remove pollutants in wastewater. Nymphe will also use earthworms and their microbiome for soil bioremediation/revitalization
Nymphe will test at least: five classes of enzymes, 250 single strains and enriched consortia, three microalgae targeting antibiotics, five plants and their associated microorganisms to remove PHC, CAH, and heavy metals, and two bivalves to remove antibiotics and metals.
Systems construction and modelling
Combinations of biologics selected in step 1 will be assembled in bioremediation systems to be reimplanted in actual contaminated matrices from Nymphe sites. Bioremediation systems will be strengthened using platforms for improving/expanding the biologics toolbox before reimplanting biologics-based systems in real habitats and environments.
Complementary pathways, microbiome control, community assembly
Nymphe will develop strategies to complement the metabolic pathways of naturally occurring species reintroduced into the environment.
We will reintroduce (micro)organisms based on the modelling and control of the indigenous microbiomes to ensure effective degradation over the long term.
Nymphe will develop tools to facilitate the stable association of biologics to be used in assembling bioremediation systems.
Reintroduction tests in a controlled environment
In this step, the Nymphe collaborators will test bioremediation systems studied at a laboratory scale in step two in real habitats, in the field (native biologics) or in a confined environment (genetically edited biologics).
The sites will be prepared in compliance with legislative obligations and authorization checks. This includes checking and building infrastructure and technical requirements needed for bioremediation tests, carrying out all activities needed to address legislative and safety obligations, and ensuring pilot tests compliance with the relevant international and national regulations in the involved countries (Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, and Slovak Republic).
ER will perform bioremediation tests of the groundwater and aquifer sediment by integrating a «conventional» in situ bioremediation technique for controlling the redox potential of the matrix with the injection of microbial bioremediation systems
Biosafety measures
High level of safety will be assured by complying with stringent measures. Good practices are derived from international guidelines such as the WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual, EU Directives (Directives 2000/54/EC, 2001/18/EC and 2009/41/EC) and local legislation and are intended to safeguard human health and the environment.
Nymphe relies on the training of the workers, standard operating and emergency procedures and record keeping. Nymphe facilities will be compliant with the contained use requirements and confined field trials according to permit conditions. Special attention will be paid to waste inactivation and disposal. Interaction with the relevant competent authorities furthermore guarantees that the measures are adequate. The project aims at and preferentially uses organisms, whether enhanced microorganisms or improved organisms, of risk group 1.
Nymphe will involve authorities to ensure full compliance with the use of the bioengineered biologics legislation and their proper safeguarding.
