Genetic engineering in Bioremediation

2. Techniques Used in Genetic Engineering for Bioremediation

Some of the techniques used to genetically engineer microbes :

Gene Cloning : Isolating and inserting a gene of interest into a host organism and equipingmicrobes with the ability to degrade or transform specific pollutants.Example: Cloning merA and merB genes into E. coli for mercury detoxification.

CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing : A precise and efficient gene-editing tool, can be used to modify  microbial genomes to add or enhance pollutant-degrading functions. Example: Editing metabolic pathways in Deinococcus radiodurans to enhance radiation and heavy metal resistance.

Synthetic Biology :  involves designing and constructing new biological parts or systems,Creating novel pathways or chassis organisms tailored for specific environments or pollutants Example: Building synthetic operons for plastic (PET) degradation in E. coli.

Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) Tools :  

 involves transferring genetic material naturally or artificially between organisms thereby spreading degradation traits in microbial communities. This can be achieved by plasmid transfer, transduction, conjugation.

Biosensors

Genes (like GFP or luciferase) added to track gene expression or pollutant presence. These help in monitoring activity or presence of pollutants in the environment. Example: Bacteria that glow in the presence of toluene.