Team:NAU-CHINA
DESCRIPTION
Soil lead pollution is a threat to human life and health. Our hero, Bacillus subtilis, is fulfilling its mission through its superpower to purify the soil and protect human fitness, along with earthworm. Let's start this journey with engineered bacteria and earthworm.
IN THE LAB
The journey begins in the laboratory with the cultivation of engineered bacteria. Under laboratory culture conditions, our engineered bacteria proliferate in preparation for the coming battle. We feed the cultivated engineered bacteria to earthworm, and then, the engineered bacteria enter the soil with earthworm and function to purify soil lead pollution.
IN THE INTESTINE
Lead-contaminated soil eaten by earthworm encounters engineered bacteria in the intestine of earthworm. Under the control of oxygen switch, the engineered bacteria secrete phytase to hydrolyze the phytate in soil, and release phosphate which can combine lead ions to form an insoluble substance, enabling lead ions to pyromorphite. Then, lead-contaminated soil can be purified.
IN THE EXTERNAL
After the engineered bacteria finishing their duty in the intestine of earthworm, they may be released into the natural environment along with wormcast, which may cause additional biosafety problems. Therefore, our hero bacteria decide to suicide to guarantee biosecurity. This is the perfect ending of the journey.
