Technologies for the Prevention of Water Ecosystem Damage

Boğaziçi University conducts direct studies on technologies and applications to minimise or prevent the damage caused by the marine industry to aquatic ecosystems. The University plays an active role for the protection of aquatic ecosystems by collaborating with industries.

Studies carried out at Boğaziçi University

INDEPENDENT Project:

This project conducted by Boğaziçi University aims to develop sustainable solutions within the framework of a bioeconomy-oriented growth model. The project aims to ensure that products produced from micro and macroalgae-based natural resources reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The project operates with a zero waste target and aims to be the first carbon-negative integrated biorefinery in Turkey and Europe when it starts to operate at full capacity.

Coastal Engineering Laboratory:

Boğaziçi University researches and develops sustainable engineering solutions for coastal waters and marine ecosystems through the Coastal Engineering Laboratory. This laboratory contributes to the development of sustainable technologies to reduce the damage caused by the maritime industry to aquatic ecosystems.

Academic and Research Studies:

Climate Change and Water Management:

Boğaziçi University analyses the effects of climate change on the water cycle and develops strategies for the protection of water resources and sustainable water management. These studies produce important solutions to prevent and mitigate damage to aquatic ecosystems.

These studies of Boğaziçi University for the protection of aquatic ecosystems are carried out directly with the goal of developing technological solutions to minimise the damage caused by the maritime industry to ecosystems.

Innovative Biotechnological Approaches to Prevent Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems: AI and Synthetic Biology-Driven Val-PLAS Project

The “Intelligent Microbial Platform for Plastic Valorisation via AI-guided Synthetic Biology” (Val-PLAS) project, developed by Assistant Professor Koray Malcı of Boğaziçi University’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics under the supervision of Associate Professor Ulaş Tezel of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, was awarded funding under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 call (MSCA-PF 2025). The project focuses on using AI-guided synthetic biology methods and intelligent microbial platforms for plastic waste treatment and valorisation. It offers an innovative biotechnological solution to plastic leakage and microplastic pollution, which threaten marine and freshwater ecosystems as well as human health.

Unlike conventional recycling methods that require substantial amounts of energy, Val-PLAS uses AI-assisted enzyme engineering and synthetic biology platforms to break down PET- and PLA-based plastics under mild, near-ambient conditions of 30–40°C. The intelligent microbial co-cultures developed through the project convert plastic monomers into high-value molecules such as naringenin and hydroxytyrosol, which are used in the cosmetics, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical industries. By enabling land-based plastic waste to be valorised at source with a low carbon footprint, the project contributes to reducing the risk of inadequately managed plastics entering rivers, lakes, coastal areas and marine ecosystems, while directly supporting the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.

The full news article is available here.

Related Links:

• Bogazici University INDEPENDENT Project
• Bogazici University Coastal Engineering Laboratory
• Bogazici University Climate Change and Water
• Bogazici University Climate Conversations
• Bogazici University Science Talks Before the Last Glacier Melts

2024 Sustainability Report SDG-14 (Related Section)

Technologies for the Prevention of Aquatic Ecosystem Damage

Boğaziçi University conducts direct studies on technologies and practices that will minimise or prevent the damage caused by the maritime industry to aquatic ecosystems. The university plays an active role for the protection of aquatic ecosystems in co-operation with the sectors.

INDEPENDENT Project

This project, led by Boğaziçi University, aims to develop sustainable solutions within the framework of a bioeconomy-oriented growth model. The project aims to ensure that products produced from micro- and macroalgae-based natural resources reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Working with the goal of zero waste, the project aims to be the first carbon-negative integrated biorefinery in Turkey and Europe when it starts operating at full capacity.

Coastal Engineering Laboratory

Boğaziçi University researches and develops sustainable engineering solutions for coastal waters and marine ecosystems through the Coastal Engineering Laboratory. This laboratory contributes to the development of sustainable technologies to reduce the damage caused by the maritime industry to aquatic ecosystems.

Climate Change and Water Management

Boğaziçi University develops strategies for the protection of water resources and sustainable water management by analysing the impacts of climate change on the water cycle. These studies produce important solutions to prevent and mitigate damage to aquatic ecosystems.

Boğaziçi University's efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems are carried out with the aim of developing technological solutions to minimise the damage caused by the maritime industry to ecosystems.