Bioremediation and Bioprocessing

Environmental contamination by hydrophobic compounds is widespread, including petroleum spills, creosote and industrial solvents. Our interest is to use a combination of transport processes and biological activity in order to eliminate these contaminants permanently and economically.

Bacteria and fungi have the ability to grow on a range of hydrophobic materials, such as hydrocarbons and organic sulfur and nitrogen compounds. While the objective of bacteria is to convert these compounds to carbon dioxide and more bacteria, we can harness their enzymes to achieve important and interesting reactions.

Objectives of Bioprocessing Research:

• Develop novel biocatalysts for transformation of hydrophobic compounds, such as crude oil components, alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
  
  
• To understand the transport mechanisms for the uptake and conversion of these compounds in bacteria, in order to improve the efficiency of bacteria as biocatalysts.
  
  
• To develop novel bioreactors for use with hydrophobic compounds.

Objectives of Bioremediation Research:

• Apply principles from biology and engineering to the science and technology of bioremediation.
  
  
• Understand the underlying mechanisms of microbial treatment of contaminated soil and water.
  
  
• Focus on hydrocarbons and related compounds.