Biological Degradation of Nerve Gas Agents

The broad spectrum organophosphorous hydrolase (OPH) from Pseudomonas diminuta MG and Flavobacterium sp. ATCC 27551 is a leading bioremediation candidate for large-scale detoxification of insecticides and nerve gas agents including sarin, soman and VX.However large scale applications of the enzyme depend on our ability to utilize the protein in efficient and convenient formulations. Recombinant bacterial strains overexpressing different hydrolase versions (a native membrane-bound form, solubleN-terminus deletion and fusion proteins) will be created and examined for organophosphorous compound degradation ability. Preliminary experiments to create fieldable and ready-to-use formulations will also be investigated.