Issue 3, 2020

Perspectives of genetically engineered microbes for groundwater bioremediation

Abstract

Biodegradation is the main process for the removal of organic compounds from the environment, but proceeds slowly for many synthetic chemicals of environmental concern. Research on microbial biodegradation pathways revealed that recalcitrance is – among other factors – caused by biochemical blockages resulting in dysfunctional catabolic routes. This has raised interest in the possibility to construct microorganisms with improved catabolic activities by genetic engineering. Although this goal has been pursued for decades, no full-scale applications have emerged. This perspective explores the lagging implementation of genetically engineered microorganisms in practical bioremediation. The major technical and scientific issues are illustrated by comparing two examples, that of 1,2-dichloroethane where successful full-scale application of pump-and-treat biotreatment processes has been achieved, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane, for which protein and genetic engineering yielded effective bacterial cultures that still await application.

Graphical abstract: Perspectives of genetically engineered microbes for groundwater bioremediation

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
21 Dez 2019
Accepted
13 Feb 2020
First published
25 Feb 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 487-499

Perspectives of genetically engineered microbes for groundwater bioremediation

D. B. Janssen and G. Stucki, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020, 22, 487 DOI: 10.1039/C9EM00601J

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