Guelph iGEM

SE QUEST ER iGEM Guelph 2025

A microbial system for detection and sequestration of toxic heavy metals

Pb2+
Ra2+
Hg₂²⁺

iGEM
Guelph

presents a microbial bioremediation system to tackle the pressing challenge of toxic heavy metal contamination in the environment with a focus on lead

Icons for Soil Contamination Battery recycling icon Industrial smelting/spillage icon Aging pipes icon

Industrial activity (mining, smelting, battery recycling, aging pipes) spreads lead far and wide.

Lead is a silent neurotoxin

Neuron illustration

Globally,

1 IN 3

(up to 800 million) children have blood lead levels over the safe
exposure limit1.

Heart and kidneys illustration

In adults, it causes hypertension,
kidney damage, and reproductive problems.

Brain illustration

In children, it results in reduced IQ,
developmental delays, and behavioral disorders.

People icon

More than

1.5 million deaths

were attributed to lead exposure globally in 2021 due to cardio vascular effects2.

Existing detection and sequestration methods struggle to solve the problem

Hourglass / slow detection icon

Lab-grade detection methods are expensive and slow
and field kits lack sensitivity.

Toxic sludge / barrel icon

Chemical removal creates sludge, while requiring energy & reagents3.

iGEM Guelph has aimed to solve this pressing challenge with

SE QUEST ER

a living microbial system that combines
continuous monitoring with targeted lead removal.

seQUESTer delivers
rapid detection and effective cleanup,
all in one simple, scalable solution.

  1. Pure Earth & UNICEF. (2020). The toxic truth: Children’s exposure to lead pollution undermines a generation of future potential. The Toxic Truth Report. https://www.pureearth.org/global-lead-program/the-toxic-truth-report/
  2. World Health Organization. (2024). Lead poisoning and health [Fact sheet]. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health
  3. Bayuo, J., Rwiza, M., & Mtei, K. (2023). Microbial biosorption of heavy metals: A sustainable approach for wastewater treatment. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11, 900336. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9003363/