Water contamination due to human activity is a worldwide problem which severely impacts human and environmental health.  Organic compounds are often found as contaminants ranging from hormones to agrochemicals and fungicides.  Unfortunately, in a global scale, water purification processes can be either non-existent or of unreliable performance or quality. As part of this work, we are using a multidisciplinary approach incorporating synthetic organic chemistry, synthetic biology and cell engineering to develop new detection, isolation and removal systems for organic contaminants.  The end goal of the project is to develop a self-sustaining water purification system able to remove water-borne organic contaminants that is cheap, easily adaptable and that can be implemented with minimal environmental impact.  This project is being carried in collaboration with colleagues in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and Mexico.