Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges
Abstract 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., nanotechn...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58492-0 |
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| author | David J. Lea-Smith Francis Hassard Frederic Coulon Natalie Partridge Louise Horsfall Kyle D. J. Parker Robert D. J. Smith Ronan R. McCarthy Boyd McKew Tony Gutierrez Vinod Kumar Gabriella Dotro Zhugen Yang EBIC partners Natalio Krasnogor |
| author_facet | David J. Lea-Smith Francis Hassard Frederic Coulon Natalie Partridge Louise Horsfall Kyle D. J. Parker Robert D. J. Smith Ronan R. McCarthy Boyd McKew Tony Gutierrez Vinod Kumar Gabriella Dotro Zhugen Yang EBIC partners Natalio Krasnogor |
| author_sort | David J. Lea-Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4eaaaac601de4667a00a1be7e8116406 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-4eaaaac601de4667a00a1be7e81164062025-08-20T02:17:48ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116111210.1038/s41467-025-58492-0Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challengesDavid J. Lea-Smith0Francis Hassard1Frederic Coulon2Natalie Partridge3Louise Horsfall4Kyle D. J. Parker5Robert D. J. Smith6Ronan R. McCarthy7Boyd McKew8Tony Gutierrez9Vinod Kumar10Gabriella Dotro11Zhugen Yang12EBIC partners13Natalio Krasnogor14University of East AngliaCranfield UniversityCranfield UniversityGitLife Biotech LtdUniversity of EdinburghUniversity of EdinburghUniversity of EdinburghBrunel University LondonUniversity of EssexHeriot-Watt UniversityCranfield UniversityCranfield UniversityCranfield UniversityEnvironmental Biotechnology Innovation CentreGitLife Biotech LtdAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58492-0 |
| spellingShingle | David J. Lea-Smith Francis Hassard Frederic Coulon Natalie Partridge Louise Horsfall Kyle D. J. Parker Robert D. J. Smith Ronan R. McCarthy Boyd McKew Tony Gutierrez Vinod Kumar Gabriella Dotro Zhugen Yang EBIC partners Natalio Krasnogor Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges Nature Communications |
| title | Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges |
| title_full | Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges |
| title_fullStr | Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges |
| title_short | Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges |
| title_sort | engineering biology applications for environmental solutions potential and challenges |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58492-0 |
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