Transgenic Bacteria for Mercury Bioremediation
Author Information
Author(s): Ruiz Oscar N, Alvarez Derry, Gonzalez-Ruiz Gloriene, Torres Cesar
Primary Institution: Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Hypothesis
Can transgenic bacteria expressing metallothionein and polyphosphate kinase effectively bioremediate mercury?
Conclusion
The transgenic bacterial system developed in this study is effective for mercury bioremediation, showing high resistance and accumulation of mercury.
Supporting Evidence
- Transgenic bacteria expressing metallothionein accumulated up to 100.2 ± 17.6 μM of mercury.
- The mt-1 transgenic bacteria showed high resistance to mercury concentrations up to 120 μM.
- Untransformed E. coli could grow in media previously bioremediated by mt-1 transgenic bacteria.
Takeaway
Scientists created special bacteria that can soak up mercury from water, making it safer for the environment.
Methodology
Bacterial transformation was performed using enhanced vectors for gene expression, followed by mercury resistance bioassays and quantification of mercury accumulation.
Limitations
The study did not genetically engineer polyphosphatase, which may limit the understanding of the complete polyphosphate pathway.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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