Scientists produce new generation of ‘green’ pollution-busters
Posted on 15 October 2007
A research team from the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), led by Professor Neil Bruce, has identified a unique bacterial enzyme system that degrades RDX, the most widely used explosive, previously thought to be resistant to biological degradation. The research is published in the latest edition of PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America).
We are now developing a low-cost, sustainable technology using native grass species to clean up military training ranges and industrial sites
Professor Neil Bruce
Decades of military activity on training ranges have resulted in pollution of both land and groundwater with explosives. The use of live ammunition has already been restricted by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) at a military training area in Massachusetts because of the threat of RDX in the water supplies of nearby communities.
With funding from the US Department of Defense, the CNAP team has been researching ways of using plants to degrade these explosives on US military sites. Plants expressing these bacterial genes become highly efficient remediation ‘machines’, able to degrade efficiently the RDX present in soil and water.
Professor Bruce said: "We have characterised a novel enzyme system that, when deployed in plants, rapidly breaks down RDX, representing a significant advance on our previous work. In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Washington, one of our Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) partners, we are now developing a low-cost, sustainable technology using native grass species to clean up military training ranges and industrial sites. These low-maintenance remediation methods could potentially be applied to other pollutants such as chlorinated solvents."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) is a highly acclaimed research centre based in the Department of Biology at the University of York. CNAP is dedicated to realising the potential of plant- and microbial-based renewable resources, using biology to benefit society and to provide a sustainable future. Target-led programmes undertaken by CNAP are underpinned by fundamental and strategic research, funded by the UK Research Councils, charitable organisations, the EU Framework programmes and US funding agencies.
- Research expertise encompasses plant and microbial genetics, biochemistry and genomics, with specialist interest in the biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of oils, glycans and secondary metabolites. Current strategic work is focused on oils, medicinals, flavours and fragrances, nutraceuticals and bioremediation, with an increasing emphasis on biocatalysis for the production of plant- and microbial-based bioproducts as renewable resources.
- CNAP also undertakes science support projects such as hosting the DTI-funded Bioscience for Business Knowledge Transfer Network and co-ordinating EPOBIO, an EC-funded consortium established to realise the economic potential of sustainable resources. CNAP also has an active Science and Society programme, aiming to make bioscience interesting and accessible to all sectors of society. For further information see www.cnap.org.uk.
- The University of York’s Department of Biology is one of the leading centres for biological teaching and research in the UK. The Department both teaches degree courses and undertakes research across the whole spectrum of modern Biology, from molecular genetics and biochemistry to ecology. Its biomedical research includes an Immunology and Infection Unit (jointly with the Hull-York Medical School), work on infertility and three research professors funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and York Against Cancer. More information at www.york.ac.uk/depts/biol/.
- The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) is a partnership of 16 research-led universities from Asia, Australasia, Europe and North America. The WUN alliance exists to make significant advances in knowledge and understanding in areas of current global concern. By fostering and encouraging collaboration between members, WUN brings together the experience, equipment and expertise necessary to tackle the big issues currently facing societies, governments, corporations and education. More information at www.wun.ac.uk