The problem
Greece consistently contends with annual wildfires, earning it the second-highest ranking in terms of the percentage of burned land among European countries.
In the past the forests had the time and the ability to recover...why not today?
Climate change and human activities have heightened the intensity and frequency of wildfires. Previously, forests could regenerate, but the current pace of events makes this scenario seriously unlike.
The concequences of a forest fire...
Lack of absorbance ability
The destroyed root system, unable to absorb rainwater, increases the risk of flooding.
Hydrophobicity of the soil is increased
After a fire, a hydrophobic layer is formed over the soil, increasing water runoff and the risk of soil erosion.
Here comes Euphoresis
Euphoresis is the first synbio approach for the boost of forest ecosystems, acting as soil conditioner and biofertilizer. Consists of a hydrogel, with the ability to retain large amounts of water, and a microbial consortium, designed to enrich the soil with the important nutrients of nitrogen and organic matter.
Let’s dive into Euphoresis
The 3 level approach that aims to enhance forest natural regeneration
Biopolymer formation
The combination of the polysaccharides pectin and chitosan with the cross-linking action of the engineered peptide creates the hydrogel matrix, which aims to increase the water absorption ability of the soil surface.
The microspheres contained within the hydrogel
Alginate-pectin microspheres are included inside the biopolymer matrix acting as hosts for the microbial consortium.
ALGINATE
PECTIN
The encapsulated bacterial consortium
Cyanobacterium
The filamentous cyanobacterium is modified to over-express a gene that differentiates it to form heterocysts. Heterocysts have the ability of nitrogen fixation.
Bacillus subtilis
The Bacillus subtilis strain is engineered to produce enzymes thatbreak down post-wildfire abundant hydrophobic phenolic structures, increasing bioavailable organic matter in the soil.
Final Product
The "Euphoresis" project utilizes a biopolymer and two microorganism strains to expedite forest soil restoration. As a final touch, local or endemic seeds will be incorporated into the hydrogel matrix, in desertification-prone scenarios.
Three level approach
HYDROGEL
Acting as soil conditioner
MICROORGANISMS
Acting as a biofertilizer
SEEDS
Acting as reforestation product
Future implementation for a sustainable future
In designing Euphoresis, our team prioritized respect for nature, contributing to a sustainable future aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Initially focused on forest restoration, but future product versions can even extend to building sustainable cities or supporting planetary colonization!
Our Achievements
