Engineering microbes to degrade contaminants

A US waste remediation start-up is using synthetic biology to address major environmental challenges like per- and poly-fluorinated substances (PFASs). Allonnia  aims to build technology that can eat harmful chemicals in the environment and restore natural habitats.

‘Our vision is to help create a waste-free, pollution-free world using biotechnology and engineered systems to degrade contaminants and upcycle waste,’ says chief executive Nicole Richards.