goodwater

WP 9 aims at the development and application of metagenomic tools for the assessment of microbial adaptation to contaminant stress and the detection of new degradation patterns in polluted groundwater ecosystems. Metagenomics (i.e. the cloning of environmental DNA fragments into host cells and their subsequent screening by sequence- or function-driven approaches) will be tested to map the phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of microbial aquifer communities and their potential for biodegradation. Fellow 9 (SV: S. Agathos/ I. George, UCLOUVAIN) will apply this technology in close collaboration with fellow 1 (HMGU) (metaproteomics). The metagenomic library will be made available for screening to other fellows according to their needs. For example, it will be specifically screened for the BTEX degradation genes that fellow 8 (HMGU) will monitor by quantitative molecular techniques. Finally, the comparison of large genomic and proteomic databases collected on the same site represents a unique opportunity to define novel monitoring targets and bioremediation triggers that will benefit fellows 8 and 13. In addition, fellow 9 will benefit from an 1-month training at the SME Wetlands Engineering which, in addition to having a strong science and technology-based expertise in innovative bioremediation techniques, will provide the fellow with an immersion into business practice (task scheduling, contacting clients and regional authorities, contract work, marketing, dissemination of treatability appraisals, financial management). Visiting scientist Mark Liles will work at UCLOUVAIN for a total of 1 month and propose innovative high molecular weight DNA isolation and cloning techniques to fellow 9 for the construction of high quality metagenomic libraries.