Superfund Research Program
June 2025
A robust gel matrix that encapsulates bacterial biofilms could prolong the ability of the microbes to withstand environmental changes and effectively remediate soils contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), according to researchers at the University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center.
Building on earlier work that revealed that biofilms of the bacterium Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400 can degrade PCBs, the researchers developed an approach to encapsulate the biofilms with Sol-Gel, which is a strong, stable, and highly porous matrix. This novel encapsulation approach protected biofilms against adverse environmental changes, such as high salinity and continuous shear force. It also extended cell viability for more than three months without additional carbon sources.
Read the full summary in the NIEHS Environmental Factor.