ARGUS-2440

Nitrate leaching is a large environmental and human health concern. Our bioremediation-focused project aims to insert the nir and nrf operons expressing multiple nitrite reductase genes into Escherichia coli DH5-Alpha and Pseudomonas putida KT2440. We also aim to determine the most efficient enzymes for the process via nitrite and ammonium measurement assays and mathematical modelling. The protein expression is governed by a methylbenzoate-XylS/Pm inducible promoter for biosafety purposes. Simultaneously, we plan to closely monitor the plant growth-promoting biofilm that P. putida forms to determine any relation with the aforementioned genes and enzymes. Every step of the way, we aim to integrate stakeholder feedback from farmers, industry experts, researchers, and policymakers to firmly ground our project in the real world.