Microbial-Based Strategies for the Mitigation of Fluorinated Environmental Pollutants

Dear Colleagues,

Fluoro-organic compounds are witnessing a rise in popularity, particularly in the materials, pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors. Their versatile properties, namely, their lipophilicity and molecular stability, have allowed these compounds to serve as ideal bioactive molecules, with improved pharmacokinetics and in vivo half-lives, as well as featuring as water-repelling, anti-coating and heat-resistant polymers. However, these same properties have also contributed to the emergence of highly stable and recalcitrant molecules with the potential to inflict ecosystem damage. In addition, many fluorinated compounds have been detected across the biosphere, including in extreme environments, such as polar and alpine regions, where they are expected to persist and accumulate overtime. Given their recalcitrant character, the natural attenuation of these xenobiotic pollutants by environmental microorganisms is not likely to be sufficient to neutralize their hazardous and pervasive nature. Still, the microbial degradation of fluoro-organic molecules, including heavily fluorinated cohorts such as PFAS, has shown to be possible when catalyzed by talented microorganisms acting individually or as a consortium. These microorganisms and their enzymes may be the key for the development of biotechnologies capable of mitigating the impacts associated with the widespread dissemination of fluoro-organic compounds in ecosystems.

In this context, this Special Issue aims to gather high-quality contributions in the form of original articles or literature reviews, expanding current knowledge on the microbial degradation of fluoro-organic molecules and enhancing our understanding of the interaction between microorganisms and these xenobiotic substrates, and how they can be functionalized into effective bioremediation solutions. Manuscripts detailing the strategies and pathways associated with the aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of fluorinated pollutants are welcome, particularly those employing multiomics surveys, reporting disruptive nature-based solutions or resorting to synthetic biology and/or metabolic engineering approaches for the fine-tuning of effective biocatalysts.

Dr. Maria De Fátima Carvalho
Dr. Diogo Alexandrino
Guest Editors

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