Analysis of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) Metabolism

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this Phase I SBIR research is
to begin to elucidate the genetic and enzymatic mechanisms of methyl tert-butyl
ether (MTBE) metabolism. MTBE has been identified as the second most common
contaminant of urban ground waters in the United States, and it threatens the
health of millions of Americans who may consume it through their drinking
water. The results of this research will allow us to 1) better understand and
predict the fate of this important groundwater contaminant in the environment;
2) better understand how tertiary carbon molecules like MTBE are metabolized in
higher organisms; and 3) develop improved water treatment methods to reduce the
risk of human exposure to MTBE through drinking water sources. During the
six-month Phase I project we will clone, express, and sequence MTBE degradation
genes from a recently isolated MTBE-degrading bacterium, strain ENV735. During
follow on work we will evaluate the regulation of the MTBE-degrading genes to
better understand how to improve in situ degradation of MTBE in groundwater,
and to identify mechanisms for improving the performance of drinking water
treatment systems to reduce human MTBE exposure. We also will evaluate the
biochemistry of MTBE-degrading enzymes to help understand how human cells may
metabolize small tertiary carbon molecules like MTBE.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: NOT AVAILABLE