Meet Marta Rusiñol, PhD in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Barcelona (UB). In the UPWATER project, Marta’s role is to test and validate viral passive samplers (VPS) for virus detection in groundwater. With a background in environmental virology and an interest in accessible public health tools, Marta and her colleagues from the UB aim to make virus monitoring simpler and more scalable for a wide network of users and communities.
Enhancing water quality monitoring
In the UPWATER project, Marta and her colleagues are testing passive samplers (PS), traditionally used to track contaminants in wastewater, to see if they can reliably detect viruses in groundwater as well. “The shift to viral PS (VPS) could simplify and reduce the costs of monitoring,” she explains, “as VPS are reusable, don’t require complex equipment and provide continuous, time-integrated surveillance without the need for large water samples or power sources. By capturing viruses like adenovirus, enterovirus, and rotavirus at depths beyond 10 meters, VPS offer an easy-to-deploy alternative for routine pathogen tracking. Additionally, when combined with advanced sequencing1, VPS enable comprehensive characterization of viruses polluting groundwater, supporting faster, proactive management of water quality across diverse regions.
Overcoming technical and operational challenges
While the VPS demonstrated promising capabilities, Marta and her colleagues encountered some challenges throughout the project, such as optimizing the sampler materials to improve virus absorption and retention. “We struggled to ensure that the samplers effectively captured low concentrations of viruses over extended deployment times,” Marta explains. “To address this, we tested different deployment times to maximize virus capture efficiency. These efforts have been crucial in ensuring that the samplers provide reliable data for groundwater monitoring without requiring complex field procedures.”
“We also faced challenges in using VPS across the different case studies of UPWATER, including preservation of viruses during shipment. This experience highlighted the importance of establishing precise key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating the efficiency of VPS compared to traditional methods. Additionally, collaborating with various partners reinforced the need for an integrated approach to assess both the technical effectiveness and the economic and environmental impacts of these innovative solutions in diverse settings.”
Opportunities for scalable solutions
The UPWATER project enables Marta to contribute to practical, scalable solutions that enhance public health by improving the effectiveness and reducing the costs of virus monitoring. “Looking ahead, a primary goal is to successfully validate the use of VPS in various groundwater scenarios,’ Marta says, “also for screening samples for zoonotic viruses such as hepatitis E, influenza A, and coronaviruses, which address both human and animal health concerns. Additionally, we aim to develop a comprehensive metagenomic workflow using target enrichment approaches2 with sequencing platforms3, making virus surveillance accessible to a wider audience, and ensuring its integration into groundwater quality management practices globally.”
Marta’s contributions in UPWATER highlight the importance of continuous research and adaptability in creating a Water Smart Society. Reflecting on the journey, Marta says that “by integrating innovative technologies like VPS and robust metagenomic workflows, we can address water quality challenges more effectively. This journey relies on shared knowledge and diverse expertise, enabling us to develop practical solutions that enhance public health and safeguard our vital water resources for future generations.”
- Advanced sequencing refers to techniques that enable detailed analysis of genetic material. These methods provide comprehensive insights into complex biological samples, facilitating tasks like pathogen identification, biodiversity studies, and the characterization of environmental samples. ↩︎
- Massive sequencing is a technology that enables the sequencing of large amounts of DNA or RNA. When applied to a specific subset of the DNA or RNA, it is referred to as target enrichment. In this approach, the fraction of interest (e.g., viruses) is isolated prior to sequencing, ensuring that only this subset is sequenced. ↩︎
- A sequencing platform is a device designed to perform DNA or RNA sequencing, enabling the determination of the nucleotide sequence of genetic material. In UPWATER, we use Illumina NextSeq or MinION sequencing platforms. ↩︎