Microbial-Based Strategies for the Mitigation of Halogenated Pollutants

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 263

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, AV. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
Interests: bioprospection; actinobacteria; bioactive metabolites; discovery of new natural compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, AV. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
Interests: biodegradation of recalcitrant compounds, isolation and characterization of microorganisms with bioremediation potential and on the development of bioremediation technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Halo–organic compounds are an important class of compounds used in a myriad of applications, particularly in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors. Once centred predominantly on chlorine, the halo–organic industry has been gradually shifting their efforts towards the functionalization of other halogen heteroatoms into organic scaffolds, aiming to unlock their manifold properties. Most halogenated biologics share similar properties that render them highly attractive for household and industrial applications alike, namely their lipophilicity and molecular stability, which translate into molecules with improved pharmacokinetics and in vivo half-lives. However, these same properties have also contributed to the emergence of highly stable and recalcitrant molecules with the potential to inflict ecosystem damage. While synthetic organochlorinated compounds rank among some of the most prevalent and legacy pollutants known in existence, several fluorinated, brominated, or iodinated compounds are also starting to be detected across the biosphere, including in extreme environments, such as polar and alpine regions, where they are expected to persist and accumulate over time. Given their general recalcitrant character, the natural attenuation of these xenobiotic pollutants by environmental microorganisms is difficult and may not be sufficient to neutralize their hazardous and pervasive nature. Still, microbial degradation of halo–organic molecules has shown to be possible when catalysed by talented microorganisms acting individually or as a consortium. These microorganisms and their enzymes may be the key for the development of biotechnologies capable of managing the widespread dissemination of halo–organic compounds in the ecosystems and of mitigating the associated impacts.
In this context, this Special Issue aims to gather high-quality contributions in the form of original articles or literature reviews, expanding current knowledge on the microbial degradation of halo–organic molecules and enhancing our understanding of the interaction between microorganisms and these environmental pollutants, and how they can be functionalized into effective bioremediation solutions. Manuscripts detailing the strategies and pathways associated with the aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of halogenated pollutants are welcome, particularly those employing multi-omics surveys, reporting disruptive nature-based solutions, or resorting to synthetic biology and/or metabolic engineering approaches for the fine-tuning of effective biocatalysts.

Dr. Maria De Fátima Carvalho
Dr. Diogo A. M. Alexandrino
Guest Editors

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Published Papers

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