Speaker:
Assistant Professor Ying Chang

Synopsis:
Situated at the crossroads of major shipping routes and recognized as one of the world’s largest oil refining and trading hubs, Singapore faces significant challenges from oil pollution caused by both accidental spills and operational discharges. The June 2024 oil spill highlighted these risks, underscoring the environmental threats posed by oil pollution to marine and coastal ecosystems. While traditional cleanup methods can be costly and often involve harmful chemicals, nature offers a sustainable alternative through microorganisms. Many of these microorganisms are capable of breaking down complex hydrocarbons, the primary component in oil, into less harmful substances, offering a promising solution for bioremediation in real-world spills. To date, most of the work has focused on bacteria, while fungi have received little attention. This talk explores the potentials of fungi in hydrocarbon degradation, presenting evidence from both genomics and culture-based growth experiments.

For enquiries, please contact:

Mr Ambert Ang
Phone: +65  65162711
Email: DBS_outreach@nus.edu.sg