The National Eye Institute (NEI) seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for the development of innovative detection methods for organomercurial biosynthesis in microbial communities.

This technology includes a novel method for detecting organomercurial compound biosynthesis, which poses significant health risks due to mercury contamination. Current detection methods primarily focus on the HgcAB system, which is limited in scope and effectiveness. Our approach leverages sequence-based techniques to identify a new family of radical SAM proteins that are likely involved in the formation of organomercurials through an unknown mechanism. This advancement allows for a more comprehensive and accurate identification of mercury-methylating organisms, which is crucial for assessing environmental and health risks. 

The technical solution involves the construction of a hidden Markov model (HMM) named NF040546, which serves as a search tool to identify members of this novel enzyme family. This is important because it opens new avenues for understanding microbial mercury methylation pathways, which have been inadequately characterized by existing methods. By improving detection capabilities, this technology can significantly enhance environmental monitoring and public health safety, making it a valuable asset for researchers and industries concerned with mercury contamination. 

We are seeking licensing opportunities for this technology, which has the potential to be developed into commercial products or services aimed at environmental monitoring and health risk assessment. Collaborators or licensees can expect to engage in a mutually beneficial partnership that leverages our innovative detection methods and their applications in various fields, including agriculture and public health.