Radioactive metals are natural or synthetic elements that release alpha (α), beta (β), or gamma (γ) rays harmful to both humans and the environment and pose carcinogenic risks to humans. The growth of the uranium mining industry has led to increased amounts of contaminated radioactive wastewater being released into the environment, leading to ecological and public health threats. Our design is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional wastewater treatment methods. It also offers increased versatility by targeting U(VI) and U(IV). Deinococcus radiodurans, known for its extraordinary genetic repair mechanisms, which allow it to resist extremely high radiation levels, will be engineered as a heavy-metal uranium remediator. Our design introduces a fusion protein construct combining D. radiodurans’ S-layer protein with PhoN, an acid phosphatase enzyme that releases inorganic phosphate (Pi), which reacts with uranium (U) to form a solid uranium-phosphate compound. We will express multiheme c-type cytochromes that reduce uranium from its hexavalent state U(VI) to a less soluble and less toxic tetravalent state U(IV). To enable U(IV) binding, we will also introduce Pelosinus sp. strain UFO1’s uranium binding complex (UBC) encoded by UFO_4202 and UFO_4203. This construct combines bioprecipitation, bioreduction, and uranium binding to enhance the immobilization of uranium in two oxidation states and offers sustainable uranium detoxification and pollutant spread prevention in contaminated environments.

Remediation of Uranium via a Novel Deinococcus radiodurans Construct
School
Western Reserve Academy
Hudson, OH
BioBuilderClub Season
2024-2025 Season
Category
Resources
BBC LT_Radioactive WRAdicals_Western Reserve Academy_2025
BBC Poster_Radioactive WRAdicals_Western Reserve Academy_2025
BBC_Radioactive WRAdicals_Western Reserve Academy_Abstract_2025