Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated c ....Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated compounds, will inform handling of contaminated sites and lead to development of cost effective and sustainable remediation technologies. Read moreRead less
Combining recycled water use, biofuel production and phytoremediation of contaminated land and biosolids. The storage of biosolids, by-products of sewage treatment, is an environmentally unsustainable practice exacerbated by the presence of inorganic and organic contaminants. Phytoremediation is a plant-based technology which is potentially a cost-effective option for progressive long-term and sustainable clean-up of contaminated soils and sediments. Combining metal extraction by plants with r ....Combining recycled water use, biofuel production and phytoremediation of contaminated land and biosolids. The storage of biosolids, by-products of sewage treatment, is an environmentally unsustainable practice exacerbated by the presence of inorganic and organic contaminants. Phytoremediation is a plant-based technology which is potentially a cost-effective option for progressive long-term and sustainable clean-up of contaminated soils and sediments. Combining metal extraction by plants with reuse of wastewater and the production of a biofuel will provide multiple benefits of a cleaner environment, water conservation, waste reduction, carbon capture and a reduction in fossil fuel use. Development of such a low-cost combined bioenergy/remediation system will be of considerable local/regional benefit and national significance.Read moreRead less
A novel method for controlling microbial concrete corrosion in sewers. This project plans to use a newly discovered, low-cost and environmental benign antimicrobial agent to develop an innovative technology to control the development of corrosion-inducing sewer biofilms. Concrete sewer corrosion is a long-standing and costly problem for the water industry. Microbial hydrogen sulfide oxidation on concrete surfaces plays a critical role. The technology will be designed to prevent corrosion of new ....A novel method for controlling microbial concrete corrosion in sewers. This project plans to use a newly discovered, low-cost and environmental benign antimicrobial agent to develop an innovative technology to control the development of corrosion-inducing sewer biofilms. Concrete sewer corrosion is a long-standing and costly problem for the water industry. Microbial hydrogen sulfide oxidation on concrete surfaces plays a critical role. The technology will be designed to prevent corrosion of new concrete sewers by adding a precursor chemical into the cement, or to slow down the corrosion of existing sewers by infrequently (once every one to few years) spraying the precursor chemical directly onto the concrete surface. Potentially, the project will substantially reduce sewer corrosion.Read moreRead less
Development of an anaerobic bioprocess for hexachlorobenzene destruction. This project will develop a biological process for destruction of a 10,000 tonne hexachlorobenzene stockpile in Sydney Australia. Development of a low energy bioprocess based on recently isolated bacteria will put an end to this ongoing health, environmental and industrial legacy issue and build expertise in bioprocessing for future applications.
In situ bioremediation solutions for Australia's organochlorine contaminated aquifers. This project will develop biological technologies to accelerate chlorinated solvent degradation in contaminated groundwater. Bacterial cultures developed in Australia will be injected into groundwater to enhance solvent degradation resulting in environmentally friendly and cost effective environmental restoration.
Synthetic Biology Derived Electroactive Whole Cell Microbial Biosensors. The aim of this project is to develop, using synthetic biology, electrically integrated microbial biosensors for the detection of heavy metals in the environment. Building on our existing technology, this project aims to produce novel ‘biobricks’ capable of electrically integrating electric microbes into real time environmental monitors for heavy metal contaminants. This expansion of synthetic biology, and integration of el ....Synthetic Biology Derived Electroactive Whole Cell Microbial Biosensors. The aim of this project is to develop, using synthetic biology, electrically integrated microbial biosensors for the detection of heavy metals in the environment. Building on our existing technology, this project aims to produce novel ‘biobricks’ capable of electrically integrating electric microbes into real time environmental monitors for heavy metal contaminants. This expansion of synthetic biology, and integration of electric bacteria into sensor systems, will result in a new platform technology that expands our abilities to protect the ecology, agriculture and health of terrestrial, marine and agricultural at risk areas from economic and environmental damage.Read moreRead less
Improving thiocyanate bioremediation with meta-genomics/transcriptomics. Improving thiocyanate bioremediation with meta-genomics/transcriptomics. This project aims to elucidate the roles of thiocyanate-degrading microbial consortium members involved in sulphur and nitrogen oxidation, using metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. The gold mining industry generates environmentally toxic thiocyanate as a waste by-product, for which the most cost-effective remediation strategy is degradation by natura ....Improving thiocyanate bioremediation with meta-genomics/transcriptomics. Improving thiocyanate bioremediation with meta-genomics/transcriptomics. This project aims to elucidate the roles of thiocyanate-degrading microbial consortium members involved in sulphur and nitrogen oxidation, using metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. The gold mining industry generates environmentally toxic thiocyanate as a waste by-product, for which the most cost-effective remediation strategy is degradation by natural microbes. Efforts to bioremediate, however, suffer from a lack of understanding of the full metabolic potential of the microbes involved. The intended outcome of this project is the improved design and operation of thiocyanate bioremediation reactor systems.Read moreRead less
New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. This project aims to develop an innovative technology platform to deliver novel anti-infectives as biotechnological outcomes, using postgenomics, computing and chemistry. Advanced molecular, computer and chemistry technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to design radically new interventions against socioeconomically important infectious diseases affecting billions of a ....New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. New drugs against parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. This project aims to develop an innovative technology platform to deliver novel anti-infectives as biotechnological outcomes, using postgenomics, computing and chemistry. Advanced molecular, computer and chemistry technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to design radically new interventions against socioeconomically important infectious diseases affecting billions of animals worldwide. Anticipated outcomes are the design of radically new chemotherapies to control parasitic diseases, the translation of fundamental research into biotechnological outcomes, international visibility of Australian science, and a solid skills- and knowledge-base in veterinary drug development.Read moreRead less
New anti-parasitic drugs for a global veterinary market. This project aims to establish an advanced, industry-linked pipeline for the development of new drugs against resilient infectious agents (parasites) that cause serious diseases in billions of animals worldwide. The research expects to discover new ways of killing parasites that survive in their host animal, despite being under severe attack by the host immune system. The resultant shift in fundamental understanding will lead to innovative ....New anti-parasitic drugs for a global veterinary market. This project aims to establish an advanced, industry-linked pipeline for the development of new drugs against resilient infectious agents (parasites) that cause serious diseases in billions of animals worldwide. The research expects to discover new ways of killing parasites that survive in their host animal, despite being under severe attack by the host immune system. The resultant shift in fundamental understanding will lead to innovative technologies or products to ameliorate the burden of parasites in livestock animals. Expected socioeconomic benefits include commercial products for end-users and lifting Australia’s scientific knowledge base, reputation in biotechnology, livestock production and investment in translational research.Read moreRead less