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Elucidating the mechanism of bacteria-mediated oil degradation by imaging biofilm formation on oil drops in microfluidic traps

Research Project

Project/Area Number 21H01720
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 27040:Biofunction and bioprocess engineering-related
Research InstitutionUniversity of Tsukuba

Principal Investigator

Utada Andrew  筑波大学, 生命環境系, 准教授 (90776626)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) 尾花 望  筑波大学, 医学医療系, 助教 (00722688)
Project Period (FY) 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2023)
Budget Amount *help
¥17,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥4,020,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥5,460,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,260,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥5,070,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,170,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥6,890,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,590,000)
Keywordsbioremediation / biofilm / active matter / microfluidics / alcanivorax / liquid crystal / oil degradation / oil-water interface / living liquid crystal / interface / nematic ordering
Outline of Research at the Start

Environmental bacteria biodegrade significant quantities of global spilled oil. Many genetic and biochemical pathways responsible for oil-degradation are known but, the detailed mechanisms that bacteria use to degrade the oil are still unclear. Harnessing bacterial function for next-generation control will require a deeper understanding of both chemical pathways and biophysical mechanisms. I aim to elucidate the biophysical mechanisms by clarifying cell-attachment dynamics, biofilm formation, and oil-degradation rate using microfluidics, high-resolution imaging and cell-tracking.

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed an innovative device capable of trapping oil droplets for the long-term imaging of Alcanivorax borkumensis-mediated oil degradation. Through our research, we determined the physical mechanism underlying this process. In collaboration with theoretical physicists, we constructed a comprehensive theoretical physical model. Furthermore, we meticulously measured the interfacial properties of Alcanivorax borkumensis, providing critical insights into its interactions with oil. Our study also revealed the disruptive effects of chemical dispersants on biofilms. Our findings were published in Science, advancing bioremediation by elucidating bacterial oil degradation mechanisms and the role of dispersants in managing oil spills.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Our research advances bioremediation by revealing how Alcanivorax borkumensis degrades oil and how dispersants impact biofilms. Published in Science, our findings enhance understanding of oil spill management, promoting more effective environmental cleanup and reducing ecological harm.

Report

(4 results)
  • 2023 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2022 Annual Research Report
  • 2021 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (4 results)

All 2023 2022 Other

All Journal Article (2 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 2 results,  Peer Reviewed: 1 results,  Open Access: 1 results) Remarks (2 results)

  • [Journal Article] <i>Alcanivorax borkumensis</i> biofilms enhance oil degradation by interfacial tubulation2023

    • Author(s)
      Prasad M.、Obana N.、Lin S.-Z.、Zhao S.、Sakai K.、Blanch-Mercader C.、Prost J.、Nomura N.、Rupprecht J.-F.、Fattaccioli J.、Utada A. S.
    • Journal Title

      Science

      Volume: 381 Issue: 6659 Pages: 748-753

    • DOI

      10.1126/science.adf3345

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Alcanivorax borkumensis Biofilms Enhance Oil Degradation By Interfacial Tubulation2022

    • Author(s)
      M. Prasad, N. Obana, S.-Z. Lin, S. Zhao, K. Sakai, C. Blanch-Mercader, J. Prost, N. Nomura, J.-F. Rupprecht*, J. Fattaccioli*, A. S. Utada*
    • Journal Title

      bioRxiv

      Volume: 0 Pages: 0-0

    • DOI

      10.1101/2022.08.06.503017

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Remarks] Efficient Oil-Eating Bacteria Cooperate...

    • URL

      https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/research-news/20230822141500.html

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
  • [Remarks] 油分解細菌の集団は表面積を広げて油分解効率を高める

    • URL

      https://www.jst.go.jp/pr/announce/20230822-3/index.html

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2021-04-28   Modified: 2025-01-30  

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