Molecular Probes and Bioluminescent Reporters in Ecological Optimization of Biodegradation.
Abstract
DNA probe and bioluminescent sensor technology is being used to assess the bio-availability of sorbed or immiscible-phase toluene and polycyclic aromatic hydro-carbons (PAR) in particulate media. Construction of improved bioluminescent reporter strains for PAH and toluene (also trichloroethylene) degradation is ongoing. For PAR degradation, the approach involves incorporation of a transposon containing the lower naphthalene pathway promoter fused to the lux genes (nah-lux) into the bacterial chromosome. One of the two transposons (Tn5-based transposon) appears to be successful in forming the fusion product and incorporating into the Psuedomonas genomes. Work is ongoing. For toluene biodegradation, the approach involves a bacterial strain containing a plasmid-encoded tod-lux gene fusion. The strain produces light when the inducer, toluene, signals an increased production of the catabolizing enzyme, toluene diooxygenase. Finally, a related project involves the - development of a combined method to extract and analyze both DNA and lipids from the same environmental sample in order to maximize the informational content of a single sample with respect to biomass content, community structure and the physological status of microrganisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA307406
Entities
People
- G. S. Sayler
Organizations
- University of Tennessee