Harnessing the Value of Plasmids in Wastewater

Plasmids present an under-utilized opportunity that could be valuable to society. Fundamentally, plasmids are small rings of intracellular DNA that encode the genes that facilitate their own transfer and function. Due to the variety and transferability of plasmid genes, they form the foundation for many molecular tools and methods that support and improve a variety of industries including agriculture, chemical production, paper, textiles, and healthcare, as well as anti-infectives, bioactive peptides, and antibiotics.

The researchers sought to address several key questions that will create a better understanding of how water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) can develop and enter the market of plasmid mining and recovery. This study, Advances in Recovery Plasmids from Wastewater – A state of the Science (NTRY8R15a), outlines a 20-year framework of how WRRFs can identify triggers for when and how to investigate plasmid genetic recovery.