BioSysteM Research Radar: Mass spectrometry imaging enables first spatio-temporal analysis of micropollutant degradation within biofilms

_{Doctoral student Min Qiu (left) and Prof. Nicole Strittmatter at the DESI (Desorption Electro Spray Ionization) mass spectrometer used for imaging experiments. Photo: Dr. Annemieke IJpenberg / TUM}

A group of researchers including BioSysteM PI Nicole Strittmatter has shown that different metabolic transformations are localized in reactive centers within biofilms rather than uniformly distributed over the biomass.

Their work suggests that microbial niches or microcolonies are responsible for performing selected reactions or groups of reactions. The results have implications for the design of future biofilm reactors to degrade micropollutants from our wastewater.

This is a new step in improving our understanding of biosystems and how we can harness their potential benefits.

Our warmest congratulations to BioSysteM PI Nicole Strittmatter and her team on these exciting results!

Publication:
Qiu, M., Larsson, Y., McKenzie, J. et al. Mass spectrometry imaging reveals different allocation of the starting steps of benzalkonium biotransformation in wastewater biofilms. Commun Eng (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-026-00731-3

Full news article:
Biofilm analysis shows isolated reaction centers for the different biodegradation steps of micropollutants from wastewater