I-Corps: Cyanobacterial enzymes and strains for removal of organophosphonates

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发低成本的可喷雾、快速作用的酶/微生物，将有机磷降解成环境友好的中间体或最终产品，减少这些农用化学品对环境的污染。磷酸盐(用作清洁剂、冷却剂和杀虫剂等)的使用量增加由于其缓慢的降解性和在环境中的积累，是有问题的。这项拟议的技术寻求选择性地降解有机磷酸盐，包括草甘膦除草剂。拟议的项目将支持制定安全和有效地使用农用化学品和家用化学品用于各种基本应用的战略。这个i-Corps项目基于三种磷酸酶的生产，通过在快速生长的蓝藻菌株中异源过度表达它们。这些酶可用于去除土壤和水系统中的磷酸盐污染物。来自阿肯色州温泉市的嗜热蓝藻也被鉴定为高水平表达这些酶的菌株。该项目寻求利用有机膦降解的新机制并帮助清洁环境。几种蓝藻物种可能能够依靠有机磷作为磷的唯一来源，分解有机磷。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of low-cost sprayable, fast-acting enzymes/microorganisms that degrade organophosphonate into environmentally-friendly intermediates or final products, reducing envirionmental pollution from these agrochemicals. The increased use of phosphonates (as cleaning agents, coolants, and pesticides, etc.) is problemmatic due to their slow degradability and resultant accumulation in the environment. The proposed technology seeks to selectively degrade organophosphonates including glyphosate herbicides. The proposed project will support the development of strategies for safe and effective use of agrochemicals and household chemicals for various essential applications.This I-Corps project is based on the productio of three phosphonatases by overexpressing them heterogously in fast-growing cyanobacterial strains. These enzymes can be used for the removal of phosphonate contaminants in soil and water systems. Thermophilic cyanobacteria species from Hot Springs, Arkansas are also identified as strains expressing these enzymes in high levels. This projects seeks use the novel mechanisms of organophosphonate degradation and to help clean the environment. Several cyanobacterial species may be able to survive on organophosphonate as the only source of phosphorus, breaking down organophosphonates.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.