’Ways of decomposing chemicals may be developed in just a few decades’ time’
Microbiologist Bodo Philipp on the adaptability of micro-organisms and the benefits and risks for humans
TRIS-degrading bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were discovered in the wastewater treatment plant in Coerde and in various other plants in the region. This degradation capability was transferred to another Pseudomonas strain in the laboratory, as indicated by the green fluorescence A team headed by Prof. Bodo Philipp and Dr. Johannes Holert from the Institute of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology has found bacteria in Münster’s wastewater which can completely decompose a substance called "TRIS" (tris hydroxymethyl aminomethane), and the researchers were able to throw light on the metabolic pathway. Among other things, TRIS is used to stabilise a pH value and often ends up in wastewater; it is very frequently used and is considered to be harmless. From an evolutionary standpoint, the TRIS metabolic pathway is new - a few decades old, at most, the researchers suspect. ...TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
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