Characterization of mercury bioremediation by transgenic bacteria expressing metallothionein and polyphosphate kinase

Bioremediation presents a potentially low cost and environmentallyagreeable alternative to current physico-chemicalremediation strategies. However, heavy metals suchas mercury cannot be converted into non-toxic forms bynaturally occurring bacteria. Annual global emissionsestimates for mercury released into the environment arein the thousands of tons per year [1,2] while the remediationcost is in the thousands of dollars per pound. Findingnew bioremediation technologies is an urgent need.Mercury is released into the environment as a result ofhuman activities and natural events. Ionic and metallicforms of mercury can accumulate in sediments wherethey can be converted into highly toxic methyl mercuryby bacteria. Further biomagnification of mercury throughtrophic levels...
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Characterization of mercury bioremediation by transgenic bacteria expressing metallothionein and polyphosphate kinase