Microbial agents in bioremediation

Arqus Micro-credential

The course offers a practical approach to the application of synthetic biology techniques for the engineering of microorganisms through the analysis of real case studies, exercises on genetic engineering protocols (including CRISPR‑Cas9 techniques and biological models), and project work focused on designing bioremediation strategies in different contamination contexts.

Key topics include:

  • The interactions and adaptation of engineered microorganisms within environmental systems
  • Biosafety
  • The decontamination of major pollutants through microbial enzymatic processes
  • Evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions
  • Discussion of ethical and regulatory issues associated with the environmental use of engineered microorganisms

Check out the full programme

Concepts of microbiology applied to bioremediation

  • Bacteria used in bioremediation: biology and physiology. Mechanisms of degradation and enzymatic metabolism of pollutants, with microbial leaching as an example
  • Nutrient cycles in microorganisms: carbon cycle, syntrophy and methanogenesis, nitrogen, sulfur and iron cycles
  • Microbial adaptation strategies. Plant–microorganism symbiosis
  • DNA sequencing using Nanopore technology
  • Galleria mellonella as an in vivo model
  • Examples of successes and failures in microbial bioremediation

Engineered microbial systems for bioremediation

  • Introduction to synthetic biology applied to environmental systems
  • Advanced cloning techniques; genetic editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas)
  • Methods for transferring genetic material into microorganisms (electroporation, conjugation, viral vectors) and biocontainment strategies (monitoring and tracing the distribution of engineered bacteria)
  • Gene expression modelling. Simulation of metabolic pathways. Design of genetic circuits in bacteria for bioremediation and analysis of real bioremediation projects (e.g., oil spills, wastewater treatment)

Ethics and regulation

  • Introduction to the main ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) related to engineered microorganisms and their use in environmental bioremediation. Discussion of the ethical and bioethical challenges associated with synthetic biology
  • Overview of national, European, and global regulations related to synthetic biology, including the main international biosafety guidelines concerning emerging biotechnologies
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    Controller: University of Granada (as Coordinator of the Arqus European University Alliance). Legal basis: Arqus is entitled to process your data under the provisions of Article 6.1. (a) of the GDPR: “the data subject has given consent to the processing of his or her personal data for one or more specific purposes”. Purpose: to manage your subscription to mailing lists and to periodically send you the requested information by electronic means. Recipients: Mailchimp. Rights: access, object, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability. Additional information here.

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