By Faculty Name

Theodore C. Crusberg

Associate Professor

Department: Biology & Biotechnology
Professional Page
Office: Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, 4016
Phone: +1-508-831-5472
Fax: +1-508-831-5936
crusberg@wpi.edu

Educational Background

Research & Teaching Interests

Heavy metal binding; biomineralization; new remediation systems; chromatography applications; environmental changes

Research

Biomineralization of Heavy Metals Within Fungal Mycelia: A New Technology for Bioremediation of Hazardous Wastes

The long term goal of this research is to develop a new technology using an innovative fungal BIOTRAP known to accumulate copper within its mycelia through biologically-mediated precipitation (biomineralization), for removal and recovery of heavy metal ions from wastewaters. This research will focus on studies which together will accomplish the goals of the project by: (1 ) investigating the thermodynamics of heavy metal biomineralization within mycelia beads of the fungus Penicillium ochro-chloron BIOTRAP [using Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd] at pH values between 2 and 5 and in the presence of competing ions and chelators [these metals are listed in 40CFR Part 433], (2) determining the composition of precipitates within the mycelia of the BIOTRAP, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis, (3) measuring intrabead physiology (pH, and oxygen consumption) correlating cell viability in the core of the bead with the efficiency of the biomineralization process, (4) studying periplasmic phosphatase activities in order to determine if levels of enzyme correlate with efficiency of the biomineralization process, (5) demonstrating the feasibility, with a bench-scale model system, that this type of biomineralization process could be developed into a technology to aid in the removal and recovery of heavy metals from wastewaters, and (6) developing a mathematical predictive model to describe the bench-scale separation system for heavy metal removal and retrieval from various wastewaters. Currently, metal recovery process are based on physical and chemical processes and are capital intensive and require constant vigilance and maintenance, hence they are expensive to purchase and operate, and often produce sludges or precipitates which themselves are subject to disposal and further regulation and costs. Direct retrieval of metal ions from industrial waste streams could substantially reduce disposal costs and have additional environmental and political benefits. The development of a less expensive technology to meet the current federal discharge limits would provide great economic benefit to industry,governmental agencies and consumer alike. A renewable fungal BIOTRAP for removal and recovery of heavy metals found in electroplating and other forms of industrial wastewaters provides an innovative application of biotechnology in solving a pressing environmental problem.

Immobilized Enzyme and Other Polypeptide Biotraps

Enzymes and other polypeptides are immobilized in agarose gels which separate solutions of organophosphates and metal ions. As those ions diffuse into the gels they contact the zone of protein where various reactions occur. In one case the metals bind to certain polypeptides which have a high affinity for metal ions. In the other case enzymes such as a mixture of acid and alkaline phosphatases hydrolyze the phosphate group of the organophosphate thereby increasing the free phosphate ion concentration in the gel matrix, causing the solubility product of the metal phosphate to be exceeded. Precipitation of a heavy metal phosphate within the gel matrix then occurs.

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