Responses exhibited by various microbial groups relevant to uranium exposure.

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Bioremediation science
• Toxicology

Background:

• Uranium (U) is a naturally occurring element with no known biological role.
• Anthropogenic activities have increased soluble and toxic forms of uranium in the environment.
• Microbial interactions with uranium include adsorption, accumulation, reduction, oxidation, and precipitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review microbial responses to uranium exposure.
• To elucidate microbial abilities for uranium removal through biosorption, bioprecipitation, and bioreduction.
• To highlight field trials and advances in omics approaches for uranium bioremediation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of microbial interactions with uranium.
• Analysis of microbial processes like biosorption, bioprecipitation, and bioreduction.
• Cataloging advances in genomics, proteomics, metagenomics, and metaproteomics.

Main Results:

• Microbes exhibit diverse responses to uranium, altering its form and concentration.
• Bacteria, fungi, and algae possess intrinsic and engineered abilities for uranium removal.
• Genomics and proteomics reveal microbial determinants for uranium adaptation and survival.

Conclusions:

• Microbial responses to uranium are crucial for bioremediation strategies.
• Understanding microbial U-interactions facilitates the development of in situ bioremediation.
• Omics technologies provide insights into microbial survival in uranium-contaminated sites.