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Revision as of 21:30, 2 August 2012
Converting Naphthenic Acids to Biofuels
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a group of recalcitrant carboxylic acid-containing compounds which are byproducts of the bitumen extraction process in the northern Alberta oil sands. These toxic and corrosive compounds are part of the solid and liquid wastes deposited into large holding areas called tailings ponds, which pose a potential environmental and economic concern to Alberta and to other areas. The University of Calgary 2012 iGEM team aims to develop a collection of NA-sensing and degrading organisms for their detection and bioremediation.
Continuing from the 2011 iGEM team’s work on developing a NA biosensor, our team aims to better characterize a biological system for detection and measurement of NAs and other tailings pond compounds using an electrochemical output. New to this year, our major objective is to develop procedures for the conversion of NAs into useful hydrocarbons. As well, our group aims to develop biological and structural solutions to safety problems found in the scale-up process of synthetic biology industrial applications.
Finally, we hope to develop a proof-of-concept bioreactor system that will be capable of converting these NAs into clean hydrocarbons suitable for industrial use. By providing both an environmental and economic benefit through the remediation of NAs, the 2012 University of Calgary iGEM team hopes to better facilitate biological methodologies for toxin remediation in Alberta, Canada, and beyond.
