Objective
- This project attempts to exploit the metallo-adsorbent properties of three different microbial-based systems to develop new biomaterials for the engineering of novel and efficacious processes for metal ion removal. The three systems include the minicapsular, galactosamine-containing polymer named Emulsan, the metal-accumulating strains of Alcaligenes eutrophus and the cell surface proteins of Pseudomonas putida. In the three cases, the metal-binding properties of each system will be examined and improved through a combination of biochemical, physiological and genetic approaches and their performance in real situations will be assessed in a variety of environmental conditions.
Results so far
- Amino-acid sequences of two metal binding proteins of A. eutrophus ER121 are determined and indicate at least one Cd-binding protein.
- A Vector system to insert metal binding polymers in outer membrane proteins was constructed.
- Some first Pseudomonas strains with metal binding polymers, integrated in the outer membrane proteins, were constructed.
- The metal bioseroption characteristics of Pseudomoas mendocina A5302 were studied.
- Characterisation of the heavy metal binding capacity and specificity of strains such as Acinetobacter iwolffi 1437, Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34 and ER121 and Pseudomonas mendocina AS302;
- Isolation of metal binding polymers (polysaccharides, proteins) from CH34, ER121 and AS302;
- Cloning of genes encoding metal binding proteins;
- Construction of a vector system to insert metal binding polymers in outer membrane proteins;
- Construction of recombinant Pseudomonas strains with metal binding polymers (metallothioneins, new isolated proteins) integrated in the outer membrane proteins;
- Comparison of metal recovery by the different biomasses in three reactor types such as packed bed column, membrane bioreactor, chemostat, etc.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
2400 Mol
Belgium