Genetically functionalized phage aerogels as filters for smart recycling

• Applicant: Dr. Dirk Rothenstein
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 506180873

In this project, phages (bacterial viruses) are used to construct aerogels that enable the specific recycling of inorganic and organic substances from wastewater. The unique structure of phages - biological nanofibers - enables the facile generation of genetically modified and thus fully functionalized nanofibers for selective binding of inorganic and organic substances. By means of ice templating aerogels with elaborated architectures are generated from the phages, so-called phage aerogels. By combining genetic engineering and ice templating, freestanding ultra-porous functional aerogels with tailored properties are created. A variety of experimental methods is used to characterize the genetically modified phages and to investigate and quantify the specific binding of inorganic and organic substances by the phages. The focus is also on fundamental questions of the interaction of the phages with each other and with the surrounding medium, as well as the influence of the synthesis parameters on the structure and porosity of the phage aerogels. These phage aerogels are expected to enable the recovery of valuable materials, such as rare earths and strategic metals, as well as the removal of inorganic and organic contaminants from wastewater. The functionality of phage aerogels will be investigated using model systems containing such substances. Feedback loops will be used to correlate these results with molecular biological modifications and ice templating. In this project, ecologically and economically attractive high-performance phage aerogels for smart recycling will develop and the knowledge-based design of aerogel filters with tuneable binding properties shall be enabled.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants