The Potential Use of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms in the Remediation of Environmental Pollution

by Alan R. Harker, Oklahoma State Univ, Stillwater, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Symposium on Ground Water

Abstract:

Naturally occurring microorganisms express a broad range of metabolic activities which are being successfully applied to the field of bioremediation. Genetic engineering will enhance such activity in cases where the desired activity would not normally occur within the affected environment and there is no selective pressure to cause such an activity to evolve through natural recombination events. The aerobic degradation of trichloroethylene is an example of such an activity. Numerous monooxygenases will oxidize TCE in the presence of inducing substrate. TCE is not a growth substrate, however, eliminating selective pressure for monooxygenase expression in the presence of only TCE.

Subject Headings: TCE | Water pollution | Oxidation | Microbes | Groundwater pollution | Biological processes | Bacteria

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