Browsing by Author "Gutierrez, Tony"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Editorial: Methods in aquatic microbiology
    (Frontiers, 2023-12-04) Gutierrez, Tony; Coulon, Frederic; Ziervogel, Kai
    This Research Topic highlights the latest experimental techniques and methods used to investigate fundamental questions in Aquatic Microbiology research, from aquatic microbe sampling and culturing, to sequencing, phylogenetics, and microbial material cycling. The Topic includes new or existing methods/technologies that have been significantly improved or adapted that help advance our understanding of the identification and characterization of microbial species and ecosystems in aquatic environments. We hope that this Research Topic will feed into existing research, stimulate new research and collaboration in the coming years.
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    Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges
    (Springer Nature, 2025-04) Lea-Smith, David J.; Hassard, Francis; Coulon, Frederic; Partridge, Natalie; Horsfall, Louise; Parker, Kyle D. J.; Smith, Robert D. J.; McCarthy, Ronan R.; McKew, Boyd A.; Gutierrez, Tony; Kumar, Vinod; Dotro, Gabriella; Yang, Zhugen; Curtis, Thomas P.; Golyshin, Peter; Heaven, Sonia; Jefferson, Bruce; Jeffrey, Paul; Jones, Davey L.; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Liu, Yongqiang; Lyu, Tao; Smith, Cindy; Yakunin, Alexander; Zhang, Yue; Krasnogor, Natalio
    Engineering biology applies synthetic biology to address global environmental challenges like bioremediation, biosequestration, pollutant monitoring, and resource recovery. This perspective outlines innovations in engineering biology, its integration with other technologies (e.g., nanotechnology, IoT, AI), and commercial ventures leveraging these advancements. We also discuss commercialisation and scaling challenges, biosafety and biosecurity considerations including biocontainment strategies, social and political dimensions, and governance issues that must be addressed for successful real-world implementation. Finally, we highlight future perspectives and propose strategies to overcome existing hurdles, aiming to accelerate the adoption of engineering biology for environmental solutions.
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    Recent advances in biochar engineering for soil contaminated with complex chemical mixtures: remediation strategies and future perspectives
    (Elsevier, 2020-12-29) Anae, Jerry; Ahmad, Nafees; Kumar, Vinod; Thakur, Vijay Kumar; Gutierrez, Tony; Yang, Xiao Jin; Cai, Chao; Yang, Zhugen; Coulon, Frederic
    Heavy metal/metalloids (HMs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil have caused serious environmental problems, compromised agriculture quality, and have detrimental effects on all forms of life including humans. There is a need to develop appropriate and effective remediation methods to resolve combined contaminated problems. Although conventional technologies exist to tackle contaminated soils, application of biochar as an effective renewable adsorbent for enhanced bioremediation is considered by many scientific researchers as a promising strategy to mitigate HM/PAH co-contaminated soils. This review aims to: (i) provide an overview of biochar preparation and its application, and (ii) critically discuss and examine the prospects of (bio)engineered biochar for enhancing HMs/PAHs co-remediation efficacy by reducing their mobility and bioavailability. The adsorption effectiveness of a biochar largely depends on the type of biomass material, carbonisation method and pyrolysis conditions. Biochar induced soil immobilise and remove metal ions via various mechanisms including electrostatic attractions, ion exchange, complexation and precipitation. PAHs remediation mechanisms are achieved via pore filling, hydrophobic effect, electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bond and partitioning. During last decade, biochar engineering (modification) via biological and chemical approaches to enhance contaminant removal efficiency has garnered greater interests. Hence, the development and application of (bio)engineered biochars in risk management, contaminant management associated with HM/PAH co-contaminated soil. In terms of (bio)engineered biochar, we review the prospects of amalgamating biochar with hydrogel, digestate and bioaugmentation to produce biochar composites.
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    Scaling-up engineering biology for enhanced environmental solutions
    (American Chemical Society, 2024-06-01) Hassard, Francis; Curtis, Thomas P.; Dotro, Gabriela C.; Golyshin, Peter; Gutierrez, Tony; Heaven, Sonia; Horsfall, Louise; Jefferson, Bruce; Jones, Davey L.; Krasnogor, Natalio; Kumar, Vinod; Lea-Smith, David J.; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Liu, Yongqiang; Lyu, Tao; McCarthy, Ronan R.; McKew, Boyd; Smith, Cindy; Yakunin, Alexander; Yang, Zhugen; Zhang, Yue; Coulon, Frederic
    Synthetic biology (SynBio) offers transformative solutions for addressing environmental challenges by engineering organisms capable of degrading pollutants, enhancing carbon sequestration, and valorizing waste (Figure 1). These innovations hold the potential to revolutionize bioremediation strategies, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable environmental management.