We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Synthetically engineered microbial scavengers for enhanced bioremediation
AI summary Read the abstract
Synthetic biology approaches were reviewed for engineering microorganisms with enhanced bioremediation capabilities against pollutants including plastics, heavy metals, and organic contaminants, with the authors discussing strategies for improving enzyme efficiency, substrate range, and environmental fitness while addressing biosafety concerns about releasing engineered microbes into natural environments.
Microbial bioremediation has gained attention as a cheap, efficient, and sustainable technology to manage the increasing environmental pollution. Since microorganisms in nature are not evolved to degrade pollutants, there is an increasing demand for developing safer and more efficient pollutant-scavengers for enhanced bioremediation. In this review, we introduce the strategies and technologies developed in the field of synthetic biology and their applications to the construction of microbial scavengers with improved efficiency of biodegradation while minimizing the impact of genetically engineered microbial scavengers on ecosystems. In addition, we discuss recent achievements in the biodegradation of fastidious pollutants, greenhouse gases, and microplastics using engineered microbial scavengers. Using synthetic microbial scavengers and multidisciplinary technologies, toxic pollutants could be more easily eliminated, and the environment could be more efficiently recovered.
More Papers Like This
Engineered microorganisms for bioremediation in aquatic ecosystems for pollution mitigation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review proposed engineered microorganism-based bioremediation as a sustainable alternative to traditional pollutant removal techniques for aquatic ecosystems, addressing contaminants including hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, and microplastics with less ecological harm.
Genetic engineering approach to address microplastic environmental pollution: a review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review explores how genetic engineering approaches could enhance the ability of microorganisms to biodegrade microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment. Researchers highlight that while wild-type microbes struggle to break down plastics due to their high molecular weight and crystallinity, engineered enzymes and organisms show potential for more effective plastic pollution remediation.
Microbial engineering for sustainable microplastic biodegradation: from enzyme redesign to synthetic consortia
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined advances in microbial and enzymatic engineering for biodegrading microplastics, covering genome-editing strategies, enzyme redesign, and synthetic microbial consortia. The authors found that engineered microorganisms can break down common plastic polymers into recyclable monomers more efficiently than wild-type strains, but scaling these systems to environmental remediation remains a major challenge.
Microbial engineering strategies for synthetic microplastics clean up: A review on recent approaches
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined microbial engineering strategies for breaking down synthetic microplastics, covering PETase and MHETase enzyme engineering, immobilization approaches, and the major challenges that remain before biological plastic cleanup can be deployed at scale.
Microbial degradation of contaminants of emerging concern: metabolic, genetic and omics insights for enhanced bioremediation
AI summary Read the abstract
This review covers how microorganisms have evolved the ability to break down emerging pollutants including plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides, turning them into less harmful substances. Understanding the genes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways these microbes use could lead to cost-effective, eco-friendly cleanup methods for removing persistent contaminants -- including plastic-derived chemicals -- from the environment before they reach people.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.