Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set by the United Nations, call for global action to address some of the most pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.Conducting a project within the field of synthetic biology, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that our work aligns with these goals, contributes solutions that address the environmental crisis in the Oder River, and can be further adapted and deployed in diverse environmental contexts.
Our project aligns with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations, reflecting our commitment to addressing global priorities. Specifically, we focus on:
A critical aspect of our project is engaging with stakeholders who provide valuable insights into the real-world applications, risks, and impacts of our technology. Throughout the development of PrymDetect, we consulted with experts in the fields of environmental science, industry, and academia, all of whom provided important feedback that shaped the direction of our work.
The overarching aim of SDG 6 is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all individuals. A major challenge to achieving this goal is the presence of harmful algal blooms, which can significantly compromise the quality of freshwater ecosystems.
Through early and accurate detection of these blooms, the PrymFlow system addresses this challenge effectively, introducing a vast improvement in efficiency compared to traditional methods such as microscopy and PCR [1]. This helps prevent the spread of prymnesin toxins, thereby preserving freshwater ecosystems. Such a solution can be implemented by local authorities, environmental agencies, and communities to safeguard water resources and prevent large-scale ecological disasters. The contribution of the project is directly aligned with Target 6.3 of SDG 6, which focuses on improving water quality by reducing pollution and limiting the release of hazardous chemicals into aquatic environments.
The project exemplifies a significant advancement in the field of environmental synthetic biology, showcasing the power of innovation to address pressing ecological issues. By employing CRISPR-based SHERLOCK technology, we have developed a cutting-edge diagnostic tool that combines high efficiency, affordability, and portability. Furthermore, by incorporating feedback from experts like Vinoo Selvarajah, we optimized our SynLOCK system, making it more accessible to the wider scientific community while ensuring compatibility with other biological systems. This innovative approach not only enhances the accuracy and accessibility of environmental diagnostics but also aligns with Target 9.5 of SDG 9, which emphasizes the importance of advancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities across various sectors.
The PrymFlow system’s novel methodology has far-reaching implications beyond its immediate application. Its potential for adaptation and deployment in diverse environmental contexts, such as detecting different harmful algal species upon modifying primers for amplification and crRNA, highlights its role in fostering the development of new industries focused on ecosystem health and sustainability. By driving advancements in diagnostic tools and environmental monitoring, the project contributes to the broader infrastructure needed for environmental protection.
Climate change exacerbates the environmental conditions that lead to harmful algal blooms, such as rising water temperatures and increased nutrient run-off from heavy rainfall and flooding. These factors are expected to increase the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms [2], making early detection and management more critical than ever.
By providing a tool that enables rapid identification of algae before they reach dangerous levels, PrymDetect aligns with SDG 13 by mitigating the impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, the insights we gained from Professor Wziątek on the relationship between climate-induced stressors (e.g., mine water discharges affecting salinity) and toxic algal blooms underscored the need for our technology to adapt to a variety of environmental conditions. This means our project is positioned to contribute to climate resilience, supporting the efforts of local communities and environmental agencies to manage the impacts of climate change on water resources.
While SDG 14 is primarily focused on marine ecosystems, the goal can be extended to include freshwater biodiversity, especially in critical water bodies like the Oder River. The feedback we received from Professor Wziątek, who is involved in the parliamentary team for the renaturalisation of the Oder River, highlighted the urgency of addressing the damage caused by golden algae blooms to the river’s biodiversity. By enabling more effective detection and early intervention, PrymDetect can help protect the biodiversity of the Oder River, contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of freshwater ecosystems.
[1] Kellner, M. J., Koob, J. G., Gootenberg, J. S., Abudayyeh, O. O., & Zhang, F. (2019). SHERLOCK: nucleic acid detection with CRISPR nucleases. Nature Protocols, 14(10), 2986-3012.
[2] European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Free, G., Van de Bund, W., Gawlik, B., Van Wijk, L. et al., An EU analysis of the ecological disaster in the Oder River of 2022 – Lessons learned and research-based recommendations to avoid future ecological damage in EU rivers, a joint analysis from DG ENV, JRC and the EEA, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/067386
