Biotransformation of pharmaceuticals by human-associated and wastewater microbiomes
Duration of contract: 4 years
Planned starting date: ASAP
Place of work: University of Vienna
Main supervisor: Thilo Hofmann (CV | Lab Homepage)
Supervision team: Ruth Birner-Grünberger, Thomas Böttcher, Michael Zumstein (external)
This position has been filled.
Project description:
In this subproject, we will explore the potential of enzymes from wastewater and human gut microbiomes to catalyze the transformation of commonly used pharmaceuticals. In brief, we will collect microbiome samples from the wastewater treatment plants, sewer systems, and human gut and investigate the kinetics and pathways of the biotransformation of relevant pharmaceuticals by enzymes in these samples using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. This work will provide insights into the formation of pharmaceutical metabolites (with presumably altered bioactivities compared to the original pharmaceuticals) and into the activity and specificity of microbial enzymes present in the continuum from human gut to wastewater treatment plants. We expect these insights to improve the prediction of pharmaceutical biotransformation in relevant systems, support the (re-)design of effective pharmaceuticals, and pave the way for innovative technologies to reduce the release of drugs into natural systems.