Marine Pollution and Bioremediation

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of biosurfactants in bioremediation?

To increase the microbial growth rate

To degrade aromatic hydrocarbons

To solubilize hydrophobic substances (correct)

To reduce the viscosity of pollutants

Which enzyme is responsible for the degradation of alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons?

Alkane hydroxylases (correct)

MerA

Dioxygenases

Tod and xyl

What is the primary mechanism by which microorganisms can contribute to the removal of pollutants from the environment?

Biodegradation through microbial metabolic activity (correct)

Physical removal of pollutants through filtration

Chemical degradation of pollutants

Bioremediation through natural attenuation

Which of the following genetic engineering techniques is used to introduce genes involved in biodegradation into microorganisms?

TALEN Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a application of genetically modified microorganisms in bioremediation?

Genetic therapy for CNS disorders Signup and view all the answers

Which marine bacteria is known for its ability to degrade hydrocarbons?

Alcanivorax Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of using marine microbes for biotechnological applications?

They have adaptability and diverse metabolic capabilities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a microbially-mediated biogeochemical cycle affected by plastic pollution?

Denitrification Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of genetic engineering in bioremediation?

To enhance the degradation of pollutants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pollutants can be degraded through microbial bioremediation?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why hydrophobic hydrocarbons are difficult to remove from the environment?

They resist natural dispersion and degradation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following microorganisms is known for its radiation resistance and desiccation tolerance?

Deinococcus radiodurans Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential benefit of harnessing the power of microbes from diverse, often 'gross' sources?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of microbial genetic engineering in bioremediation?

To enhance the degradation of pollutants Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of genetic engineering for bioremediation?

To create microorganisms that can degrade hazardous pollutants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following enzymes is involved in the biodegradation of pollutants?

Oxidoreductases Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary application of teriparatide production in space medicine?

Increasing bone mineralization and density Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of enzymes like laccases, hydrolases, and cutinases in biodegradation?

Breaking down polymers Signup and view all the answers

Why is B.subtilis an ideal microorganism for space medicine production?

It can withstand the harsh space environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary application of filgrastim production in space medicine?

Treating neutropenia caused by cancer treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using marine bacteria for biodegradation?

They can degrade a wide range of pollutants Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of engineering B.subtilis for space medicine production?

To enhance its secretory system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary ecological importance of the coral reef area in the Indo-Malay-Philippine Archipelago (IMPA)?

It supports high marine biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary future research direction mentioned in the text?

Engineering B.subtilis for a broader range of pharmaceuticals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the engineered B. subtilis?

To produce protein-based therapeutics on-demand Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of using Luria Broth and Difco Sporulation Medium with antibiotics?

To clone genes using PCR and Gel Electrophoresis Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of current Med Kits on the ISS?

Limited shelf life and variety of medicines Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of high-throughput bioassays?

To evaluate secretion peptides Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using engineered B. subtilis?

Rapid on-site production of protein-based therapeutics Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Artemis Program?

To establish a human presence on Mars Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of preparing spore suspensions?

To test the efficacy of the engineered B. subtilis Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of successfully integrating constructs into the B. subtilis genome?

Temperature-dependent secretion of teriparatide Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the gut microbiome in cockroaches?

To provide antimicrobial and anti-heavy metal properties Signup and view all the answers

What is the main application of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) in gene therapy?

To deliver functional genes for treating genetic disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of gene therapy using viral vectors?

To deliver functional genes for treating genetic disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of fecal microbiota transplantation?

To treat Clostridium difficile infections Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of engineering viral capsids in gene therapy?

To improve transduction efficiency and target specificity Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Kombucha and single cell protein in biotechnology?

To explore biotechnological applications in traditional Chinese medicine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of microbial genetic engineering in bioremediation?

To engineer microorganisms for biodegradation of pollutants Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of capsid library selections using NGS and Machine Learning?

To create and select capsid libraries with better targeting ability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

This quiz explores the impact of plastic and hydrocarbon pollution on marine ecosystems and human health, and how bacteria can be used to develop innovative bioremediation strategies.