Recovering critical minerals with 'super fungi'
Published on: 23 June 2026
EMERGING GROUP
Villa Gomez Group
Synthetic biology for mining
Dr. Denys Villa Gomez leads an innovative research group focused on synthetic biology for mining and sustainable resource recovery.
She is pioneering cutting-edge approaches to mine waste remediation and critical mineral extraction. Her team is part of the UQ Biosustainability Hub.
The group's primary objectives include:
- Developing biotechnology processes to recover valuable resources from waste
- Reducing carbon emissions through innovative biological approaches
- Creating sustainable solutions for industrial waste management
- Bio-sequestration of greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) using waste materials
Research Areas
- Synthetic biology
- Sustainable solutions for industrial waste management
- Bio-sequestration
Research Approach
The team employs advanced techniques such as:
- Omics approaches
- Micro-spectral tools
- Synthetic biology
- Extremophile microbe cultivation
- Biohydrometallurgy techniques
Research Highlights
Research Projects
Funding
Since 2019
- Villa-Gomez D. Biosustainability Hub: Paving the way to net zero using biological strategies, Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd(2025-2026)
- Villa-Gomez D., Marcellin E. and Gonzalez-Garcia, Ricardo A. Upstream bioprocess characterisation and biomass production of methanotrophic consortia, IDEA Bio-Windfall Bio™ (2024-2025)
- Villa-Gomez D. Carbon mineralisation– A sustainable solution to support the circular economy of carbon neutral Lithium mining, IDEA Bio-SQM Salar S.A. (2024-2025)
- Fiorentini, Marco (Lead CI) and Villa Gomez, Denys (CI 14) ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future, Australia (2024-2029)
- Guo Z., Villa Gomez D., Gillane R., Webster L. and Alexandrov K. Enhancing Rare Earth Elements Quantification and Recovery Using Protein-Based Biosensors. Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology EMCR SEED FUNDING SCHEME, Australia (2024-2025)
- Villa-Gomez D. Using synthetic biology to accelerate critical metals recovery from mine waste. Rio Tinto/Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships (AQIRF106-2022RD5), Australia (2023-2026)
