Microbial sunlight-driven carbon and nitrogen capture for sustainable agriculture
A bio-based solution using native photosynthetic microorganisms to capture atmospheric carbon and nitrogen, potentially replacing inorganic nitrogen fertilizers and enhancing soil carbon content. Includes engineered nitrogen-fixing bacteria with synthetic metabolic exchange for improved plant-microbe nutrient transfer.
Overview
This research proposes a sustainable agricultural solution that leverages native photosynthetic microorganisms to capture atmospheric carbon and nitrogen, delivering these essential nutrients directly to soil and crops. The approach aims to eliminate dependence on inorganic nitrogen fertilizers while simultaneously increasing soil carbon content, addressing two critical challenges in modern agriculture: greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer production and soil degradation.
A complementary research stream explores engineered free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria with synthetic metabolic exchange, designed to improve the efficiency of nutrient transfer between plants and microbes, resulting in greater net nitrogen fixation.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Deployment of native photosynthetic microorganisms that naturally fix atmospheric carbon and nitrogen
- Nutrient delivery directly to soil and crop root zones, bypassing synthetic fertilizer inputs
- Synthetic biology engineering of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to enhance metabolic exchange with plants
- Focus on optimizing carbon and nitrogen cycling efficiency within the plant-microbe-soil system
Key benefits:
- Potential full replacement of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer
- Enhanced soil carbon sequestration
- Reduced agricultural carbon footprint
- Improved nutrient use efficiency through engineered microbial partnerships
Technology readiness level
The first hypothesis is at an early-stage startup phase, with ongoing field validation. Industrial partnerships are sought for field trials and value-chain development. The second hypothesis is at an active research stage within the lab, with opportunities for industrial partners to contribute to crop-specific focus areas and co-fund R&D activities.
About Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a STEM‑focused public research university with a large postgraduate community and an entrepreneurial culture. Industry engages through the White City innovation district, where the university offers incubator and scale‑up labs, wet‑lab and prototyping facilities, co‑location with corporate R&D and startups, and a dedicated technology transfer office. Integration with a major NHS hospital system provides access to clinical cohorts, trials infrastructure, and translational expertise, while corporate relations streamline sponsored research and consortia. Research is supported by competitive funding from UK Research and Innovation councils, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, European programs, and major foundations.
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