University of Technology in Delft develops new method for large-scale health monitoring via wastewater

TU Delft develops new method for large-scale health monitoring via wastewater

Wastewater contains a hidden wealth of information about the communities that produce it. During the Covid-19 pandemic, sewage monitoring for viral RNA became a key tool for tracking outbreaks. TU Delft researcher Martin Pabst and his team are now expanding this concept with a new method that enables large-scale monitoring of human health and microbial activity through wastewater.

Wastewater contains a hidden wealth of information about the communities that produce it. During the Covid-19 pandemic, sewage monitoring for viral RNA became a key tool for tracking outbreaks. TU Delft researcher Martin Pabst and his team are now expanding this concept with a new method that enables large-scale monitoring of human health and microbial activity through wastewater. 

New method measures proteins and microbes simultaneously

Researcher Martin Pabst and PhD candidate Claudia Tugui developed an advanced proteomics approach, known as de novo metaproteomics, that allows high-throughput analysis of human proteins and microbial communities in wastewater samples. Traditional wastewater surveillance mainly focuses on DNA, RNA, or small molecules. By directly measuring proteins, this method offers a more direct view of active biological processes, creating new opportunities to track disease dynamics, inflammation, and possibly also antimicrobial resistance (read more about this: METAMIC 3 Website). 

“Proteins are the functional molecules of life, and until recently many protein markers in wastewater were too complex or sensitive to detect reliably,” explains Pabst. “Recent technological advances now make it possible to capture both microbial and human protein signals at scale.”

Key findings

In a proof-of-concept study, Pabst and his team analyzed winter wastewater samples from Harnashpolder (Delft) and Utrecht. Despite a sampling period of only three months, both locations showed a stable core microbiome and consistent human protein profiles. Using this approach, the team detected around 200 human proteins in wastewater, including cancer-associated proteins, markers of virus-induced inflammation, and antibodies which have been shown to remain functional outside the body. These results indicate that wastewater proteomics could help monitor population immunity and vaccination coverage in real time, potentially reducing reliance on costly blood tests or large-scale surveys.

Further validation

Before large-scale implementation, the method requires validation of protein biomarkers, across additional seasons and regions, in collaboration with clinicians and public health authorities. The long-term goal is to develop a cost-effective, city-level “health dashboard” that complements existing DNA- and RNA-based surveillance systems.
Martin Pabst: “This research and publication was made possible through an exceptional spirit of collaboration. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all our dedicated students, as well as to our valued partner in the field of ecology and our supporter, Mark van Loosdrecht.”