Synthetic Terraformation: engineering biology to counterbalance ecosystems decline

This project is part of the ONE Planet DTP. Find out more here: https://research.ncl.ac.uk/one-planet/

Climate change due to anthropogenic deterioration of the environment puts ecosystems at risk of irreversible collapse. An encouraging, yet challenging, way to address this problem comes from bioremediation through synthetic biology (SB). SB applies rational engineering principles to the design and build of novel biological systems e.g. bacteria. The project involves: 1) analysis and characterization of environmental bacterial communities, 2) measure the impact on them of environmental stresses, and 3) engineer novel bacteria to counteract stress effects. This project addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by acting to combat climate change through restoration of ecosystems.
The key to the success of the project is to abstract microbial communities in polluted environmental scenarios. Such ecological templates will then be mathematically formalised, and experimentally reproduced. This highly novel approach has been unattained to date. To this end we will apply methods at the interface of Computer Sciences, Engineering and Biology. Ecosystem abstraction will allow the project to run indoors without in situ testing. Nevertheless, we will collaborate with the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS) research centre to discuss further release of engineered organisms.
The PhD candidate will join the ICOS group at Newcastle University (NU). The candidate will merge outreach/research agendas with two projects of the PI: the EPSRC SynBio3D project, and the EU project BioRoboost. The company Sphere Fluidics will be involved in the experimental side. The PI runs the NU’s team for the iGEM (International Genetic Engineered Machine) competition, which has a strong environmental track.

The candidate will have a microbiology, molecular biology or related background. For more information, please Angel Goñi-Moreno ([Email Address Removed]).