Call For Papers: The Role of Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology and Nanotechnology in Innovative Water Quality Technologies

Cutting-edge technologies such as biotechnology, synthetic biology and nanobiotechnology are offering innovative solutions in addressing critical environmental challenges around water quality and resource management. The development and deployment of synthetic microorganisms for the biodegradation of water pollutants, applying bioengineered microorganisms in bioreactors, using synthetic biology approaches to enhance microbial efficacy in water treatment processes, and the development of nano-biosensors for water quality monitoring are all examples of the power of bio-based technologies to improve water quality and water resources.

The focus of this new Special Issue in ACS ES&T Water is to highlight novel research that integrates these cutting-edge technologies to enhance our understanding and management of water resources. The journal seeks submissions that explore innovative applications of synthetic biology and nanobiotechnology in water treatment and quality improvement.

We welcome research exploring the development and deployment of nanomaterials and synthetic biological systems for water remediation and sustainability, as well as papers addressing the environmental and health impacts of nanomaterials and synthetic biology in water systems. Policy development papers addressing the sustainable use and reuse of water resources are also encouraged.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Synthetic microorganisms for biodegradation of water pollutants
• Synthetic biology to enhance microbial efficacy in water treatment
• Applications of engineered microbes in bioreactors and water treatment plants
• Development of nano-biosensors for real-time water quality monitoring
• Nano-biohybrid systems for the removal of contaminants from water
• Biological nanomaterials for advanced oxidation processes in water treatment
• Sustainable biosynthesis of nanomaterials using engineered microorganisms for water purification
• Hybrid technologies and interaction mechanisms combining synthetic biology and nanotechnology for water reuse and recycling
• Self-healing and responsive nanomaterials for dynamic water treatment environments
• Engineered organisms to address specific challenges in marine and freshwater ecosystems
• Applications of synthetic biology in the bioremediation of oil spills and plastic pollution
• Enhancing biodiversity and resilience of aquatic ecosystems through synthetic biology
• Nano-based technologies for rapid detection of waterborne pathogens
• Antimicrobial nanomaterials for the prevention and control of waterborne diseases
• Leveraging big data and AI in conjunction with nanotechnology and synthetic biology for predictive water quality management
• Development of data-driven models to optimize water treatment processes
• Integration of IoT devices with nanotechnology and synthetic biology for real-time water quality monitoring and decision-making
• Development of regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and sustainable use of synthetic biology and nanotechnology in water treatment

Submit your manuscript by July 3, 2025.

Organizing Editor

Prof. Jose Ruben Morones-Ramirez, Topic Editor, ACS ES&T Water
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico

Submission Information

We welcome submissions for this Special Issue through July 3, 2025. For more information on submission requirements, please visit the journal’s Author Guidelines page.

Accepted manuscripts for consideration in this Special Issue will include all manuscript types available in the journal. Papers accepted for publication for this Special Issue will be available online ASAP (as soon as publishable). After all submissions have been published, they will then be compiled on a dedicated landing page to form the Special Issue. Manuscripts submitted for consideration will undergo the full rigorous peer review process expected from ACS journals.

Open Access: There are diverse open access options for publications in American Chemical Society journals. Please visit our Open Science Resource Center for more information.

How to Submit

• Log in to the ACS Publishing Center.
• Select the “Journals” tab.
• Choose ACS ES&T Water.
• Click "Submit."
• Select your manuscript type, and, under "Special Issue Selection," choose “The Role of Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology and Nanotechnology in Innovative Water Quality Technologies."

If you have any general questions regarding submission to this Special Issue, please contact the Managing Editor at managing.editor@estwater.acs.org.