Design principles and field-ready methods to clean up dioxin-contaminated sites
Official title: Project 4 - Design Principles and Field-Deployable Models for Economical Remediation of Dioxin-Contaminated Sites
Funded at Michigan State University · NIH-11394785 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research opportunity to develop economical ways to use natural bacteria to break down dangerous dioxin pollutants in the environment, with field-ready models and practical remediation strategies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 1997 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,859 |
| NIH project number | 5P42ES004911-31 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394785 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients; applicable to environments with dioxin contamination and communities near affected sites.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation or clinical relevance.
What this research studies
This grant supports work to understand how certain anaerobic bacteria can use dioxins as part of their metabolism and how to stimulate them in real-world settings. The team aims to design affordable, deployable approaches that could reduce dioxin levels at contaminated sites without costly dredging or capping. Research will connect molecular understanding of cobalt-containing enzymes and hydrogenases to practical remediation strategies that work outside the lab. The project emphasizes translating laboratory insights into field-applicable models and tools. If successful, communities near polluted sites could see cleaner environments and healthier surroundings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to cheaper, more effective ways to reduce dioxin pollution at contaminated sites.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lab work showed microbes can respirate and potentially attenuate dioxins, but field-ready methods remain to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan State University
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hashsham, Syed a. — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Hashsham, Syed a.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.