PEI Faculty Seminar: “Forever Chemicals No More: Harnessing the Novel Feammox Bacterium for PFAS Defluorination”

 

Peter Jaffé, the William L. Knapp ’47 Professor of Civil Engineering and professor of civil and environmental engineering, presented “Forever Chemicals No More: Harnessing the Novel Feammox Bacterium for PFAS Defluorination.”

Jaffé recounted his research group’s discovery of the novel bacterium Acidimicrobium sp. Strain A6, which has the surprising ability to degrade the group of chemical pollutants known as per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). Dubbed “forever chemicals” for their incredible molecular stability, these compounds are found in many consumer products and are associated with various health effects, including cancer. Yet, Jaffé’s research has shown that A6 can break PFAS’ chemical bonds through a process called Feammox. Jaffé discussed his ongoing work, how a specific gene expression gives A6 its power, and how the bacterium could be harnessed to clean up water, soil and sediments contaminated by PFAS.

Bess Ward, the William J. Sinclair Professor of Geosciences and the Princeton Environmental Institute, led a discussion and Q&A after the main presentation.

PEI Faculty Seminar: “Forever Chemicals No More: Harnessing the Novel Feammox Bacterium for PFAS Defluorination”

Publish Date

October 6, 2020

Presenter(s)

Peter Jaffé

Link to Video

https://youtu.be/M6RQze41maY

Video Length

01:01:13

 

Peter Jaffé, the William L. Knapp ’47 Professor of Civil Engineering and professor of civil and environmental engineering, presented “Forever Chemicals No More: Harnessing the Novel Feammox Bacterium for PFAS Defluorination.”

Jaffé recounted his research group’s discovery of the novel bacterium Acidimicrobium sp. Strain A6, which has the surprising ability to degrade the group of chemical pollutants known as per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). Dubbed “forever chemicals” for their incredible molecular stability, these compounds are found in many consumer products and are associated with various health effects, including cancer. Yet, Jaffé’s research has shown that A6 can break PFAS’ chemical bonds through a process called Feammox. Jaffé discussed his ongoing work, how a specific gene expression gives A6 its power, and how the bacterium could be harnessed to clean up water, soil and sediments contaminated by PFAS.

Bess Ward, the William J. Sinclair Professor of Geosciences and the Princeton Environmental Institute, led a discussion and Q&A after the main presentation.