Marine Pollution and Bioremediation

Environmental Pollution and Bioremediation

• Plastic and hydrocarbon pollution significantly harm marine ecosystems and human health.
• Plastic pollution alters bacterial communities' composition and function, affecting biogeochemical cycles.
• Microplastics disrupt nitrification and denitrification processes in marine sediments.
• Hydrocarbon pollution sources include oil spills, industrial waste, and urban runoff.
• Hydrophobic hydrocarbons resist natural dispersion and degradation, requiring specialized cleanup strategies.
• Bioremediation uses microbes to remove pollutants from soil, air, and water.
• Marine microbes adapt to fluctuating conditions, making them suitable for applications in bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.

Marine Bacteria in Bioremediation Applications

• Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria like Alcanivorax, Pseudomonas, Oleispira, and Colwellia can be used for bioremediation.
• Enzymes like alkane hydroxylases and dioxygenases can degrade alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons.
• Biosurfactants are natural compounds that solubilize hydrophobic substances, aiding in bioremediation.

Genetic Engineering of Microorganisms

• Deinococcus radiodurans is a polyextremophile known for its radiation resistance and desiccation tolerance.
• UvrABC endonuclease excision repair mechanism is used for radiation resistance.
• Ion transporters include efflux systems and bioaccumulation.
• Transformed vectors using TALEN and CRISPR methods can be used for genetic engineering.
• Engineered genes include tod and xyl for toluene degradation, and merA for mercuric ion reduction.

Applications of Genetically Modified Microorganisms

• Biodegradation of pollutants like crude oil spills, halobenzenes, naphthalenes, toluenes, and radioactive compounds.
• Organic compound degradation through reduction, oxidation, dehalogenation, and hydrolytic cleavage.
• Future research aims to improve pollutant degradation and environmental adaptation.

Beneficial Microbes from Unlikely Sources

• Microbial genetic engineering can harness the power of microbes from diverse, often "gross" sources.
• On-site production, purification, testing, and administration of pharmaceuticals can be achieved using B. subtilis.
• B. subtilis endospores can withstand the harsh space environment, making it ideal for space medicine production.

Bacillus Subtilis Engineered for Aerospace Medicine

• Astropharmacy (production of pharmaceuticals in space) is crucial for long-term space missions.
• Engineered B. subtilis can produce protein-based therapeutics on-site, on-demand.
• Pharmaceuticals have a short shelf life, further shortened by exposure to space conditions.
• Returning to Earth for resupply is costly and mission-compromising.

Biodegradation of Plastics

• Bacteria like Alcanivorax, Erythrobacter, and Marinobacter can degrade various plastics.
• Enzymes like laccases, hydrolases, and cutinases break down polymers.
• Marine bacteria offer solutions for biodegradation of plastics.

Gut Microbiota of Cockroaches

• Cockroaches have a robust gut microbiome capable of surviving harsh environments.
• Bioactivity includes antimicrobial, anti-radiation, and anti-heavy metal properties.
• Antimicrobial compounds can be used for antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic treatments.

Gene Therapy

• Types of gene therapy include non-viral and viral gene delivery.
• Focus is on viral gene delivery using genetically modified viruses as vectors to deliver functional genes.
• AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus) is a non-enveloped DNA virus with a 22-nm icosahedral capsid.
• Applications include treating conditions like cystic fibrosis, hemophilia B, and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.