Australian scientists have developed a groundbreaking method to neutralize one of the world’s most dangerous pollutants: methylmercury. This toxic compound, often found in the environment due to industrial activities like illegal gold mining and coal burning, accumulates in food chains and poses serious risks to human and wildlife health. The discovery, published recently in Nature Communications, paves the way for engineering animals to protect ecosystems and improve public health.

Genetic Engineering Takes on Mercury Pollution

A collaborative research team from Macquarie University's Applied BioSciences, CSIRO, Macquarie Medical School, and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology genetically modified fruit flies and zebrafish to transform methylmercury into a harmless gas that evaporates from their bodies.

“It still seems like magic to me that we can use synthetic biology to convert the most environmentally harmful form of mercury and evaporate it out of an animal,” says Dr. Kate Tepper, lead author and synthetic biologist at Macquarie University.

Methylmercury is particularly hazardous because it is highly bioavailable and difficult to excrete. Once ingested, it can cross critical barriers in the body, such as the digestive tract, the blood-brain barrier, and even the placenta. It becomes increasingly concentrated as it moves up the food chain, causing significant harm to neural and reproductive health.

The team’s breakthrough involved inserting bacterial genes into the DNA of fruit flies and zebrafish. These genes produce two enzymes that work together to convert methylmercury into elemental mercury, which then safely evaporates into the air.

"When we tested the modified animals, we found that not only did they have less than half as much mercury in their bodies, but the majority of the mercury was in a much less bioavailable form than methylmercury," says Dr. Tepper.

Balancing Innovation with Safety

Despite the exciting potential of this technology, the researchers emphasize that it is still in the early stages. Extensive testing is needed to ensure its efficacy and safety for real-world applications.

“The research is promising, but there’s a long road ahead to make sure it’s completely safe and effective,” notes Associate Professor Maselko.

To prevent any risk of uncontrolled spread in the wild, the scientists built in safety measures to contain the modified organisms. They also stress the importance of regulatory oversight before any real-world implementation.

This discovery represents a significant step toward using synthetic biology to tackle environmental pollutants. If successful, it could transform how we combat toxic substances like methylmercury, protecting ecosystems and improving public health worldwide.