Team:Queens Canada/Side/Biodegradation
From 2011.igem.org
Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
<h3orange> Biodegradation Overview </h3orange><p> | <h3orange> Biodegradation Overview </h3orange><p> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <regulartext> Upon discovering that a bacterium, <i>Pseudomonas putida</i>, has the ability to degrade naphthalene through a specialized pathway, we worked on a proposed construct that serves as a thought experiment on the ability of <i>C. elegans</i> to acquire biodegradation capability. The <i>P. putida pathway</i> is extensive, however, we propose that with enough time and resources, the entire pathway could be engineered in <i>C. elegans</i> to allow the worm to eat up naphthalene.</regulartext> | ||
+ | |||
<regulartext>Biodegradation refers to the breakdown of substances mediated by bacteria or biological processes. The breakdown of environmental pollutants has become a large issue, as current events have increased public awareness concerning environmental sustainability. Microbes have been researched as a potential technology for cleaning contaminated environments due to the fact that many contain xenobiotic metabolisms. Recently, the bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis has gained much attention for its use in the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The bacterium uses alkanes as a primary source of energy, breaking down many of the components of crude oil into harmless smaller compounds. </regulartext><p> | <regulartext>Biodegradation refers to the breakdown of substances mediated by bacteria or biological processes. The breakdown of environmental pollutants has become a large issue, as current events have increased public awareness concerning environmental sustainability. Microbes have been researched as a potential technology for cleaning contaminated environments due to the fact that many contain xenobiotic metabolisms. Recently, the bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis has gained much attention for its use in the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The bacterium uses alkanes as a primary source of energy, breaking down many of the components of crude oil into harmless smaller compounds. </regulartext><p> |
Revision as of 02:34, 29 September 2011