EXPLORA: Sustainable development of new active biomolecules of industrial interest.
The EXPLORA project focuses on the research and development of new active biomolecules from extremophilic microorganisms present in extreme aquatic environments. The main objective is to develop innovative and sustainable sampling methods to access the microbial biodiversity of these environments and to isolate microorganisms to understand, evaluate and validate their potential.
Context
Extremophilic microorganisms, due to their adaptation to extreme conditions, possess unique physiological and metabolic characteristics that allow them to produce bioactive compounds with properties of interest for biotechnology. Extreme aquatic environments, such as hydrothermal vents, saline lakes, or areas with extreme temperatures, are a rich and largely unexplored source of microbial biodiversity. In particular, extremophiles have been found to produce a variety of bioactive compounds, such as enzymes, antibiotics, biopolymers, and pigments, with potential applications in medicine, industry, and bioremediation.
Despite the enormous potential of extremophiles, exploring and accessing the biodiversity of extreme aquatic environments presents significant challenges. Extreme conditions such as elevated temperatures, high salinity, extreme pH or the presence of heavy metals make the collection and cultivation of these microorganisms difficult. In addition, bioprospecting in these environments requires specialized sampling technologies and high-throughput analytical methods for the identification of new biomolecules.
Summary and objectives
The EXPLORA project focuses on the bioprospecting of extremophile microorganisms in two specific aquatic ecosystems: the Tinto River in Spain and the Antarctic region, aiming to unlock and exploit the potential of these microorganisms in extreme environments. To this end, EXPLORA proposes the development of sustainable and innovative sampling methods, and the use of advanced bioprospecting techniques for microorganisms producing new active biomolecules of industrial interest.
The specific objectives of the EXPLORA project are:
- To develop autonomous and customized sampling devices for the collection of microorganisms in extreme aquatic environments.
- Implement advanced bioprospecting techniques to identify microorganisms producing compounds of industrial interest with antimicrobial, antioxidant and plastic degrading activity.
- Evaluate the safety and efficiency of new biomolecules for industrial applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutritional supplementation and PET recycling sectors.
- Analyze the relevant legal frameworks to ensure regulatory compliance in bioprospecting activities.
Consortium
To achieve the aforementioned objectives, a consortium of 13 partners has been formed:
- ITENE (Instituto Tecnológico del Embalaje, Transporte y Logística) (Coordinator).
- NASC (National Antarctic Scientific Center)
- IE Universidad
- INEGI (Instituto de Ciencia e Inovação em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia Industrial)
- Wageningen University (WUR)
- Universidad de Leipzig (UL)
- Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH)
- Universidad Eberhard Karls de Tubinga (EKUT)Universidad Técnica de Delft (TUD)
- Venus Roses Labsolutions (VR)
- FISABIO (Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana)
- Euro-Funding EU Projects Sociedad Limitada (E-F)
- EAWAG (Eidgenössische Anstalt für Wasserversorgung, Abwasserreinigung und Gewässerschutz)
ITENE’s role
ITENE leads the EXPLORA project, assuming the responsibility of Coordinator.
In addition to this role, ITENE will work together with the project partners in the development of experimental tasks focused on ensuring compliance of international regulations in bioprospecting and in the development of predictive tools to assess the toxicity of compounds derived from extreme microorganisms. In addition, advanced analyses will be carried out to identify new biomolecules with beneficial properties, and biotechnological processes will be optimized for the production and purification of molecules for the biodegradation of plastics. In addition, this process will be validated under appropriate industrial conditions. A reference framework will be established to compare the sustainability of new sampling and production methods, considering their environmental impact and viability.
Finally, a sustainable approach will be promoted in all project activities, seeking to minimize environmental impact and maximize social and economic benefits.
