The Mission

This year's MSP-Maastricht iGEM team, Natronaut, is dedicated to addressing coastal eutrophication in a sustainable and circular way. By utilizing synthetic biology, we aim to reduce the harmful impacts of nitrogen pollution, specifically nitrate runoff, which has become a global concern. Our project focuses on converting waste nitrates in coastal waters into valuable single-cell proteins (SCPs), contributing to environmental restoration and promoting circular economy principles. Ultimately, we seek to mitigate nitrogen pollution, restore marine ecosystems, and offer an innovative solution that aligns with global sustainability goals.

The Challenge

The Netherlands faces a severe nitrogen crisis, particularly from agricultural runoff, which pollutes waterways and coastal areas. Excess fertilizer, primarily nitrates, is washed into rivers and oceans, leading to eutrophication. This triggers algal blooms, hypoxia (oxygen depletion), ocean acidification, and marine dead zones, all of which damage biodiversity and human health. The problem is exacerbated by the country's high reliance on agriculture, which uses over half of its surface area for farming, contributing to the worst water quality in the EU. Coastal eutrophication has wide-reaching consequences, including harmful algal blooms, fish die-offs, and the degradation of critical ecosystems like coral reefs.

The solution

Our team is using Vibrio natriegens (V. natriegens), a fast-growing marine bacterium, as a chassis organism to address coastal eutrophication. We propose to genetically modify V. natriegens to assimilate excess nitrates in coastal waters and convert them into ammonia, which is then processed into SCPs through natural metabolic pathways. This reduces nitrate levels in water, preventing harmful algal blooms and restoring ecosystem balance. The SCPs produced are nutrient-rich proteins that can be used as animal feed, creating a valuable upcycled product that supports a circular economy. The organism will be contained in a semi-permeable membrane chamber to prevent environmental release, ensuring ecological safety. This approach not only addresses the pollution problem but also adds economic value by transforming waste into a sustainable resource while keeping the environment and agriculturalists happy. Find out more with the video below or at the link: https://youtu.be/f1n8D4jdgQQ