Spring 2022 Distinguished Professor - Dr. Stephen Techtmann | Michigan Tech Research Forum

|April 6, 2022|Theme: Recycling Plastic and Food|

Dr. Stephen Tectmann

Lecturer

Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Stephen Techtmann

Topic

Trash to Treasure: Using microbial communities to convert plastic into food

Research Statement

Each year millions of tons of plastics are produced and over three-quarters of that plastic eventually ends up in landfills or the environment. At the same time, there is a growing need to find novel solutions to feed a growing population. These twin problems of plastic pollution and food insecurity are challenges that must be addressed through novel technological advances. Environmental microbial communities can serve as untapped reservoirs of biotechnologically relevant biological catalysts. Bacterial species capable of converting plastic into microbial biomass have been identified. However, the rates of biological plastic conversion on its own are very slow. Here we will discuss recent advances in coupling of chemical and biological processing of plastics to convert plastics into microbial biomass. Microbial cells are composed of over 50% protein and contain many of the required nutrients needed for nutrition. We are developing a bacterial consortium that can participate in plastic degradation and produce microbial biomass that is non-toxic and contains all the required nutrients to be used an alternative protein source. This approach of coupling of waste deconstruction with microbial build of up into biomass could provide a system for production of alternative proteins from various waste streams.

Six Questions With Steven Techtmann

You focus your work on biotechnological applications of bacteria from nature. How did you come to choose this path? Or, did it choose you?

As part of my undergraduate research at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, I had the privilege of being able to do field work in Kamchatka Russia exploring the diversity of heat-loving bacteria that grow in hot springs. We were studying how bacteria from hot springs could be used as biological catalysts to transform carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) into hydrogen (a clean fuel). I was enthralled by how science could address basic questions like how life can thrive in extreme conditions and then apply that knowledge to develop methods for production of alternative fuels. This experience got me hooked on studying the biotechnological application of environmental bacteria. Throughout my career, I’ve been able to study bacteria that can help with addressing problems from environmental contamination to forensics, and now food production. The overall theme has been looking to nature for solutions to problems that we face and viewing bacteria from the environment as biological catalysts to help in performing some of these chemical reactions.

How do your research and teaching complement each other?

I teach several classes related to environmental microbiology and bioinformatics. I love teaching these classes because they provide an opportunity for me to ground my thinking in the fundamental concepts of these disciplines. As part of this, I can better see the edge of what is known and where to push in my research. I also think that my teaching greatly benefits from my research. I really enjoy integrating data and questions from my research program into my classes. I feel like this provides real life examples for students on how the concepts and techniques we’re discussing in class can be applied in a research setting. It also allows for the students in my classes be involved in research as part of the courses they’re taking. We’ve been able to run semester long experiments in several of my classes that have led to generating novel results and ultimately publications from class projects. It is very rewarding for me as an instructor to see these products coming out of class activities.

What has changed the most in your field over the past decade (or two)?

The genomics revolution has been one of the biggest changes in environmental microbiology over the past decade. Genomics and big data now pervade most branches in biology. My research is focused on studying communities of bacteria that live in the environment. There are thousands of bacterial species and millions of cells in a single drop of lake water. Most bacteria from the environment are difficult to grow in the lab and genomic is one of the tools that we can use to study environmental microorganisms. The technological advances of genomics have allowed for unprecedented insights into the diversity of bacteria in the environment and the immense diversity of chemical reactions they can catalyze. The application of genomics to environmental microbiology has shown us how much of the microbial world is left to be explored. The genomics revolution has also allowed for a greater appreciation of the link between the microbial communities around us and human and ecosystem health.

What is the biggest challenge in your fields of expertise?

I think one of the biggest challenges in the field of environmental microbiology is how to integrate all this genomic and other ‘omic data into an understanding of biological systems. Natural systems are incredibly complex and while we have the technology to study these systems in ever growing detail, the challenge is how do we draw meaningful conclusions about these biological systems from these massive amounts of data. One of the beautiful things about biological systems is their elegance and complexity, but that can also be a challenge as we realize just how complex these systems are. I think that as we now can generate so much data from these systems, we need to move from observing these systems to being able to understand the rules and mechanisms that undergird how these systems work.

Coupled to this challenge is how can we then use this understanding of life to make a positive impact on humanity. There is potential for a deeper understanding of biology and environmental microbial communities to help in addressing problems that we face. The challenge is how do we translate this knowledge into action to make a difference. To address this challenge, it’s going to take more than just environmental microbiologists. This is in part why I really like working with on teams with expertise from different disciplines. It’s those interdisciplinary teams that will help to translate these biological discoveries into action more quickly.

How does Michigan Tech work for you as a home base?

I have found it easy to develop collaborations across campus here at Michigan Tech. I really enjoy working on interdisciplinary projects and having collaborators that are just across campus has made it easier to work closely together and move projects forward very quickly. I also really like the applied mentality of faculty on campus and the desire to use our knowledge and expertise to address big challenges.

What's next in your research?

The next step for our project related to converting plastic into valuable products like food is for us to scale up the process. Right now, we have the process working as separate systems and on a small scale. As we move this project forward, we are trying to integrate the process, scale up for increased throughput, and make the system more automated. Overall, in my research we’re looking to better understand microbial communities in environments like lakes, streams, and oceans and how to apply them to help in cleaning up contaminates and to serve as sensors of environmental health.