PRESENT TECHNOLOGY
THE ROLE OF DESULFOBACTERACEAE
Technology for waste water remediation is always developing. Current methods of effectively purifying water use iodine, phytoremediation, filtration plants, and bioremediation. Applications of these have not yet been proven to provide efficient, cost-effective treatment of water on a global scale, but they provide a starting point for new technologies.
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These microorganisms are able to surround heavy metals with water, entrapping them in small capsules that are easily removed. Zinc, arsenic, and other metals that are dangerous to consume in large quantities can be retrieved from contaminated water using this bacteria.
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THE FUTURE OF
BIOREMEDIATION
LIMITATIONS | OXYGEN INTOLERANCE
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Genetically modifying Desulfobacteraceae to express the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase would reduce the harmful effects of oxygen. |
Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that decomposes the superoxide anion while catalase decomposes hydrogen peroxide. These enzymes are found in aero-tolerant anaerobes, allowing these types of bacteria to survive for up to 72 hours in oxygen.
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OUR TECHNOLOGY | ENGINEERING AN OXYGEN-TOLERANT SPECIES
Gene cloning, the direct manipulation of an organism's genome, would introduce the desired genes into
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The genes for the production of superoxide dismutase and catalase would be isolated from aero-tolerant anaerobes that naturally produce these enzymes. The genes would be inserted into a plasmid forming a recombinant DNA and then transformed into the Desulfobacteraceae.
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CHALLENGES | BREAKTHROUGHS IN GENE CLONING
Developing an oxygen-tolerant family of
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1. The superoxide dismutase and catalase must first be sequenced from an aero-tolerant organism.
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