Final Report Summary - ISPADEHAL (Isotopic and Proteomic Approaches to Dehalococcoides Physiology) Halogenated aromatic compounds such as highly halogenated benzenes, dioxins and biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic, persistent and widely distributed organic pollutants strongly affecting environmental quality and economical value of many grounds and aquifers throughout Europe. As found for the transformation of perchloroethene (PCE) to benign products, these highly halogenated aromatics are exclusively transformed by anaerobic bacteria of the Dehalococcoides cluster. Although Dehalococcoides species have been isolated and physiologically described, many aspects of their physiology and a procedure for easy mass cultivation remains unknown. Central research objective of the proposed project is therefore the detailed description of physiological capacities of a Dehalococcoides strain (strain CBDB1) using isotopic and proteomic technologies. Strain CBDB1 is a highly remarkable bacterium as it was the first strain for which reductive dehalogenation of chlorinated benzenes and highly toxic chlorinated dioxins was shown. In addition, several other compounds such as chlorinated phenols and chlorinated biphenyls are used as terminal electron acceptor by the strain, thereby allowing the strain to grow and reducing the toxicity of the compounds. The complete publishable summary is attached to this report. Related documents Microsoft Word - Final_Publishable_Summary.doc
