MAROC Molecular Tools For Assessing The Bioremediation Potential In Organohalogen-Contaminated Sites

Country: EU Projects
Start Date:   31/1/2000         Duration: 36 months         Project Type: RTD
Contract Number: EVK1-CT-1999-00023
Organisation Type:  EC Project
Topics: 
Contaminated land-->Remediation options-->In situ treatment technologies
Contaminated land-->Risk management-->Monitoring and aftercare
Diffuse pollution-->Monitoring
Groundwater protection-->Monitoring-->Monitoring overview
Project objectives:
Molecular detection methods will developed and optimised for the monitoring of bioremediation processes. A combination of detection of specific microorganisms, 
detection of catabolic genes and transformation activity, all in situ, will allow the accurate analysis of in situ natural attenuation. Results of the characterisation
of intrinsic potentials of organohalogen-polluted sites by classical microcosm studies will be used to assess the usefulness of the molecular tools developed
during the time-course of the project. A knowledge base created by the detailed genetic and biochemical characterisation of a collection of DNA segments encoding catabolic genes, will be used
for the development of probes and primers for extracting the broadest possible diversity of genes from the environment. A database relating genetic structure
to metabolic function for various key enzymes of halogenated hydrocarbon degradation will be built up and after optimisation of protocols for isolating DNA
and RNA from environmental samples, as well as the adaptation of quantitative PCR methods, used for the development of specific probes and primers to analyse
and quantify the presence and expression of degradative pathways in contaminated samples, to characterise enrichment cultures and to monitor the evolution
of dechlorinating activity in microcosms. Results of this validation phase will be used to optimise the molecular tools already available. Finally, newly
developed and optimised methods will be converted to an economic method to identify and quantify by molecular methods the natural attenuation potential of
contaminated sites.
Project Summary:
Currently available as well as newly isolated organisms degrading or transforming organohalogen pollutants, under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, will 
serve as the strarting point to isolate the matabolic diversity of degradative genes present from contaminated and pristine environments using a molecular
primer approach; A periodically upgraded database linking given structures with metabolic potential will support the creation of molecular tools which,
after development of optimised protocols, will enable the quantification of metalocically active organisms, of degradative genes, of the expression of
those genes and, therefore, the bioremediation potential of organohalogen-contaminated sites; New products and services in environmental biotechnology
will become available.
Achieved Objectives:
not public available 
            
Product Descriptions:
not public available 
            
Additional Information:

            
Project Resources:
Weblink:
http://www.oieau.fr/5pcrd/projets/MAROC.htm
Funding Programme(s): 
EC Framework Programme 5
Link to Organisations:
Submitted by: EUGRIS Team Prof Paul Bardos  Who does what?  03/07/2003 17:48:00
Updated by: EUGRIS Team Professor Paul Bardos  Who does what?  03/10/2006 12:42:00