Genetic engineering in Bioremediation
3. Oil spill Clean up
Oil spills are major environmental disasters that harm marine ecosystems, wildlife, and coastal economies. Traditional cleanup methods (booms, skimmers, chemical dispersants) are often costly, slow, and environmentally disruptive. Bioremediation offers an eco-friendly alternative — and genetic engineering enhances its efficiency.
Genetically modified microbes can:
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Break down hydrocarbons (the main components of crude oil) more efficiently.
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Survive in harsh marine conditions (e.g., salt, pressure, temperature).
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Degrade a wider range of oil components, including toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Techniques Applied
| Technique | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gene Cloning | Introduce oil-degrading enzymes | Cloning alkB gene for alkane hydroxylase into E. coli |
| Metabolic Engineering | Enhance multiple degradation pathways | Engineering Pseudomonas putida to break down toluene, benzene, and naphthalene |
| CRISPR Editing | Fine-tune gene regulation and pathway control | Boost expression of degradation genes |
| Synthetic Biology | Design microbial consortia or synthetic pathways | Synthetic operons to process heavy oil fractions |