Engineered Vibrio natriegens strain boosts bioremediation of complex pollutants in harsh environments

A multi-institutional collaboration of synthetic biology research centers in China has developed a genetically engineered strain of Vibrio natriegens capable of bioremediating complex organic pollutants, including biphenyl, phenol, naphthalene, dibenzofuran, and toluene, in saline wastewater and soils.

Microbial bioremediation methods typically use consortia of wild-type bacterial strains, yet these organisms demonstrate limited capacity to degrade complex pollutant mixtures. Elevated salinity levels further inhibit bacterial activity, diminishing bioremediation efficacy in industrial and marine wastewater. Developing bacterial strains capable of degrading pollutants while tolerating saline conditions remains a critical challenge.

Researchers employed synthetic biology techniques to engineer Vibrio natriegens to degrade multiple organic pollutants in saline wastewater and soils.

Synthetic degradation gene clusters targeting biphenyl, phenol, naphthalene, dibenzofuran, and toluene were chemically synthesized and assembled in yeast. Gene clusters were subsequently integrated into the Vibrio natriegens Vmax genome and verified through PCR analysis and sequencing to confirm genetic stability and correct orientation.

Image source: Su et al. (2025), Nature.