Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2025

07:20
Bioprospecting of Extremophilic Microorganisms to Address Environmental Pollution
Published on: December 30, 2021
3.7K
Bioengineered microbial strains for detoxification of toxic environmental pollutants
Quratulain Maqsood1, Aleena Sumrin1, Rafia Waseem1
1Center for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Environmental Research
|March 12, 2023
Summary
Bioremediation uses microbes to clean environmental toxins, but local bacteria are slow. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) offer a faster solution for hazardous pollutant removal, improving soil health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Industrial activities cause pollution, risking ecosystems and human health.
- Soil health degradation impacts food security and well-being.
- Bioremediation is a key strategy for environmental cleanup.
Conclusions:
- Enzymatic bioremediation, especially using GMOs, is crucial for effective soil health restoration.
- Further research is needed to optimize enzymatic degradation for various pollutants.
- Addressing environmental risks requires advanced remediation strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Bioremediation
19.5K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
19.5K
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
102
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
102
Biological Methods for Microbial Control
152
Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
152
Enhanced Elimination of Poison
558
Poison can be effectively removed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through various decontamination procedures.
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
558
Microbial Nutrition
146
Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
146
Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
152
Chemicals play important roles in controlling microbial growth by targeting microbial structures and functions as sanitizers, antiseptics, disinfectants, and sterilants.Alcohols are commonly used sanitizers, effectively disrupting lipid membranes, which compromises cell integrity. They are also used as antiseptics and disinfectants due to their rapid action and versatility.Phenols and their derivatives phenolics , known for denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, are particularly...
152

