Funding: LIFE20 ENV/IT/000572. 

Link: https://life-sedremed.eu/

Abstract: 

LIFE SEDREMED is an EU-funded project for the development of an innovative solution to decontaminate polluted marine sites. The LIFE SEDREMED partnership is composed of a multidisciplinary and inter-sectoral group of 7 partners from 4 EU countries. The project is coordinated by the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn and partners with the Site Manager, Invitalia, two technology providers from Belgium and Finland, 2 academic monitoring partners and 1 startup that manages the dissemination and communication aspects of the project. LIFE SEDREMED will aim at demonstrating the efficiency of an innovative methodology for the in-situ remediation of coastal marine sediments. The intervention consists in developing a prototype for the application of microorganisms within the sediments and the transmission of electric current to stimulate bioremediation reactions. It will aim at reducing the critical concentration of several organic contaminants and the bioavailability of heavy metals. In addition, the project will develop an innovative monitoring plan that will serve as a control instrument for remediation results. The project will enable to showcase a new approach to avoid environmental risks and reduce financial costs incurred in dredging activities and ex-situ treatment of contaminated sediments. 

H2020‐FNR‐11‐2020: SECRETed — Grant agreement: 101000794 

SZN budget: € 408,375 

BLUETEKNA role in the project: Partner 

Link: https://www.secreted.eu/ 

Abstract 

SECRETed is an EU-H2020 multidisciplinary project involving multiple stakeholders and with a strong participation of SMEs to fully exploit the potential of aquatic biotechnology and produce novel industrial products for the agrochemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemistry sectors. SECRETed will develop novel hybrid molecules with tailor-made properties obtained from the combination of biosynthetic genes of amphiphilic compounds (biosurfactants and siderophores) produced by marine and extremophilic microorganisms. The project will focus on reutilizing sampling efforts by screening already collected microbial collections from previous European initiatives. Machine Learning algorithms (ML) will be deployed to reveal the genetic mechanisms responsible for their biosynthesis and to expand the chemical diversity of such bio-based compounds. To this end, databases inspection and data collected by participants will be combined to construct a unique microbial amphiphilic compound space comprehending molecular structures, physicochemical characteristics, associated bioactivities and revealed genetic mechanisms responsible for their biosynthesis. To expand the chemical diversity and enhance the industrial sustainable exploitation of such bio-based compounds. Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in charge of the production of these molecules will be reverse engineered by standardizing and modularizing the genetic elements comprising such clusters. Their potential benefits will be broadened by looking for Industry-driven (agrochemical, cosmetic, nutrition and health) formulations based on the engineered combinations of genetic elements expressed in suitable microbial hosts. New strains will then be designed, built and tested in an iterative process for the development of viable and sustainable industrial processes. To achieve its goals, SECRETed brings together a multidisciplinary team integrating Microbiology, Systems and Synthetic Biology, natural product chemistry, industrial testers, industrial bioprocessing, sustainability assessments, market analysis and knowledge exchange. 

HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-01-BLUEREMEDIOMICS- Grant Agreement No. 101082304 

SZN BUDGET: € 438,503.75 

LINK: https://blueremediomics.eu/ 

BLUETEKNA role in the project: WP3 leader 

ABSTRACT 

Marine microbial communities perform critical life sustaining functions on Earth and represent a vast unexploited treasure trove of bioresources that have the potential to strengthen the European blue economy. To unlock this hidden potential, as well as responsibly conduct biodiscovery from marine microbes requires multiple developments. We need to amalgamate and apply advanced technologies to elucidate the composition, interactions and functional repertoire of the marine microbiome, while concomitantly ensuring sustainable and equitable exploitation, maintaining ocean health, and improving ocean literacy through an improved appreciation of ocean microbes. To address these needs, BlueRemediomics will: (1) develop and provide an integrated bioinformatics platform to explore the marine microbiome potential; (2) establish innovative culturomics and high-throughput screening platforms to experimentally exploit consortia of marine microbes; (3) apply the platforms to identify and develop natural products derived from marine microbes; (4) foster aquaculture and ecosystem services that embody the “do no significant harm” principle; (5) maximise equitable access to ocean microbiome resources and increase awareness of the marine microbiome to a diverse range of stakeholders; (6) Provide training, tools and resources to a variety of stakeholders. To achieve these objectives, BlueRemediomics interlinks an advanced “Discovery Platform” with “Applications”, so designed to facilitate cyclical and iterative crosstalk. By federating multiple, currently fragmented key data resources, the Discovery Platform will accelerate new product identification and development, reduce resource dependence, raise consumer benefits and address key societal issues. New modalities in access and benefit sharing will be established that balance sustainable and equitable use of marine genetic resources with intellectual property protection.