Engineering Yeast and Plants for Heavy Metal Applications: from Bioremediation to Bioextraction

Project facts

Project promoter:
University of Bucharest
Project Number:
RO14-0005
Target groups
Researchers or scientists,
Students and trainees in all forms of higher education level education and training
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€974,924
Final project cost:
€952,629
From EEA Grants:
€ 809,735
The project is carried out in:
Romania

Description

Trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn) have been in the focus of basic and applied research due to their dualistic action upon living organisms, being necessary in minute amounts for the normal metabolism but getting toxic when present in concentrations higher than the physiological levels. As such, the heavy metal pollution represents a threat to water supplies, agriculture soils, human and animal health, whereas the deficiency is considered equally deleterious for any form of life, or for important human activities, such as agriculture. In this project we aim to use molecular and bioinformatic approaches to engineer yeast and plants designed to hyperaccumulate heavy metals without interfering with the normal metabolism. In addition we aim to establish the applicability of such organisms to various heavy metal-related biotechnologies, such as soil and water bioremediation, bioextraction, metal restriction to plant organs, metal-enriched food supplements, improved imaging techniques, etc. The project will imply systemic investigations of an array of metal ions against a series of recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides designed for each metal and expressed differentially in yeast and plants. The proposed work is interdisciplinary, combining silico screening, molecular biology, bioinorganic chemistry, genetics and bioinformatics, with the aim to provide an unprecedented coverage of the metal-protein/peptide interaction by facilitating the analysis of synergistic and antagonistic relationship between cell components and metal-related metabolism. The partnerships allow for a continuous flow of data and biological materials (sequences, plasmids, strains, metal-loaded biologic samples, etc.), techniques and methodology.

Summary of project results

Trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn) have been in the prime light of basic and applied research due to their dualistic action upon living organisms, being necessary in minute amounts for the normal metabolism but getting toxic when present in concentrations higher than the physiological levels. As such, the heavy metal pollution represents a threat to water supplies, agriculture soils, human and animal health, whereas the deficiency is considered equally deleterious for any form of life, or for important human activities, such as agriculture. In this project we aim to use molecular and bioinformatics approaches to engineer yeast and plants designed to hyperaccumulate heavy metals without interfering with the normal metabolism. We establish the applicability of transformed organisms to various heavy metal-related biotechnologies, such as soil and water bioremediation, bioextraction, metal restriction to plant organs, metal-enriched food supplements, improved imaging techniques. The project will imply systemic investigations of an array of metal ions against a series of recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides designed for each metal and expressed differentially in yeast and plants The main objectives of the project were fulfilled. In this study, we used state-of-the-art methodology to obtain heavy metal hyperaccumulating organisms designed primarily for metal related bioremediation and bioextraction actions expected to provide efficient and cost-effective solutions to important environmental issues such as heavy metal pollution and metal deficiency. With a documented expertise in relevant research fields, the Donor State Partner was in the position to transfer relevant knowledge and state-of-the-art methodology to the Romanian partners.The proposed project was beyond the ‘state of the art’ research in the field, and it clearly contributed to increase the scientific excellence and the competitiveness in this research area. This research project has brought scientific excellence to our community by increasing international visibility through high-quality publications, participation in international scientific events, and increased mobility.The established collaboration is expected to continue, and the next step will be to identify calls which allow the extension of the project’s output towards the technology sector.

Summary of bilateral results

The partnership was based on expertise complementarity, continuous brain flow, openness and mutual trust. The smooth collaboration led to: joint participation in international conferences; elaboration of student theses; six publications, among which two were joint publications in high-impact international journals; joined manuscripts under preparation. The funds provided by the programme contributed substantially to strengthen the bilateral relations at the project level, supporting continuous exchange of ideas and expertise between partners. The proposed project was beyond the ‘state of the art’ research in the field, and it contributed to increase the scientific excellence and the competitiveness in this research area. While the project’s mail goals have been achieved, every specific aim of the project had its intrinsic value, opening new doors for investigation which may provide grounds for continuing an already established collaboration. The research done in this project was designed as a long-term project to be developed beyond the completion of this grant, contributing to long-lasting collaborations between the Norwegian and the Romanian groups. This research project has brought scientific excellence to our community by increasing international visibility through high-quality publications, participation in international scientific events, and increased mobility.The established collaboration is expected to continue, and the next step will be to identify calls which allow the extension of the project’s output towards both basic research and the technology sector.