Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges

David J. Lea-Smith; Francis Hassard; Frederic Coulon; Natalie Partridge; Louise Horsfall; Kyle D. J. Parker; Robert D. J. Smith; Ronan R. McCarty; Boyd McKew; Tony Guttierrez; Vinod Kumar; Gabriella Dotro; Zhugen Yang; Peter Golyshin; Natalio Krasnogor

doi:10.1038/s41467-025-58492-0

Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges

David J. Lea-Smith
, Francis Hassard
, Frederic Coulon
, Natalie Partridge
, Louise Horsfall
, Kyle D. J. Parker
, Robert D. J. Smith
, Ronan R. McCarty
, Boyd McKew
, Tony Guttierrez
, Vinod Kumar
, Gabriella Dotro
, Zhugen Yang
, Peter Golyshin
, Natalio Krasnogor

School of Environmental & Natural Sciences

University of East Anglia
Cranfield University
GitLife Biotech Ltd, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
University of Edinburgh
Brunel University
University of Essex
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
EBIC Partners

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Engineering biology applies synthetic biology to address global environmental challenges like bioremediation, biosequestration, pollutant monitoring, and resource recovery. This perspective outlines innovations in engineering biology, its integration with other technologies (e.g., nanotechnology, IoT, AI), and commercial ventures leveraging these advancements. We also discuss commercialisation and scaling challenges, biosafety and biosecurity considerations including biocontainment strategies, social and political dimensions, and governance issues that must be addressed for successful real-world implementation. Finally, we highlight future perspectives and propose strategies to overcome existing hurdles, aiming to accelerate the adoption of engineering biology for environmental solutions.

Original language	English
Article number	3538
Journal	Nature Communications
Volume	16
Early online date	14 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58492-0
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 14 Apr 2025

Keywords

Biodegradation, Environmental
Bioengineering/methods
Humans
Nanotechnology
Synthetic Biology/methods

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Lea-Smith, D. J., Hassard, F., Coulon, F., Partridge, N., Horsfall, L., Parker, K. D. J., Smith, R. D. J., McCarty, R. R., McKew, B., Guttierrez, T., Kumar, V., Dotro, G., Yang, Z., Golyshin, P., & Krasnogor, N. (2025). Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges. Nature Communications, 16, Article 3538. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58492-0

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AU - Smith, Robert D. J.

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Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges

Abstract

Keywords

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