[Application of genetic engineering technology in heavy metal bioremediation]

Conventional physical and chemical methods for addressing global heavy metal pollution are costly and prone to inducing secondary pollution. Bioremediation technologies, despite their ecological advantages, often exhibit limited efficacy due to the limited tolerance thresholds and bioaccumulation efficiencies of natural organisms. Consequently, the genetic engineering of natural organisms has emerged as a viable approach to enhancing heavy metal bioremediation capabilities. This paper systematically reviews the research progress and application mechanisms regarding the use of genetic engineering technologies to enhance the heavy metal remediation capabilities of microorganisms and plants. It focuses on the heterologous expression of functional genes via transgenic technology and explores the potential of gene editing technologies for heavy metal remediation, thereby offering a reference for future environmental remediation efforts and the development of related processes.