Waste warriors: Scientists gene-engineer flies to clean up human mess

A team of Australian scientists is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to organic waste management.

By genetically engineering black soldier flies, they aim to enhance the species’ ability to consume humanity’s organic waste while simultaneously producing valuable compounds for various industrial applications.

Black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) are already used commercially for their efficiency in breaking down organic waste, including food scraps.

Enhancing waste consumption and production of valuable compounds

The team from Sydney’s Macquarie University is pushing the boundaries by tweaking the flies’ genetics to widen the range of waste their larvae can consume. This genetic engineering not only enhances their waste consumption capabilities but also enables the production of fatty compounds and enzymes.

In a recent scientific paper, the team detailed their ambitious goals for these genetically modified flies . They highlighted the potential to reduce planet-warming methane emissions, which are a significant byproduct of organic waste decomposition.

Dr. Kate Tepper, a lead author of the paper, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change through innovative waste management solutions.

“We are heading towards a climate disaster, and landfill waste releases methane. We need to get that to zero,” Tepper stated.

The role of black soldier flies in waste management

Dr. Maciej Maselko, who oversees an animal synthetic biology lab at Macquarie University, is at the forefront of this research. He envisions insects as the “next frontier” in tackling the global waste management crisis, which sees approximately 1 billion tonnes of food waste annually.

Black soldier flies, found on every continent except Antarctica , are already present in many compost bins. “If you’ve got a compost bin, then you’ve probably got some,” Maselko noted.

The larvae of these flies can consume double their body weight in waste daily, making them highly efficient waste processors. Unlike microbes, the larvae can speed up the decomposition process, turning waste into valuable resources. This efficiency is key to creating circular economies, where waste is transformed from a problem into a source of income and reuse.

The research team has also established a spin-off company, EntoZyme, to commercialize their work. They aim to deploy the first genetically engineered flies in waste facilities by the end of the year.

To address concerns about potential environmental risks, Maselko explained that the genetic modifications could include weaknesses, such as an inability to fly, rendering the flies unviable outside controlled environments.

Broader applications and environmental benefits

The work of these genetically engineered flies goes beyond waste consumption. During their maggot stage, the larvae consume organic waste, then metamorphose into pupae, which are harvested for further use.

The team envisions a suite of genetically engineered flies capable of producing enzymes for animal feeds, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, as well as fatty compounds for biofuels and lubricants.

Moreover, the flies could be engineered to consume contaminated waste, leaving behind nutrient-rich manure that can be used as fertilizer.

Tepper highlighted the potential for these flies to tackle pollutants in several ways. They can break down pollutants into less toxic compounds.

Additionally, they can evaporate pollutants or accumulate them in their bodies for easy separation. This process would result in clean organic waste ready for safe disposal or reuse.

The research and its promising proposals are detailed in the journal Communications Biology .