RECOMBINANT-DNA TECHNIQUES FOR BIOREMEDIATION AND ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY SYNTHESIS

A number of new recombinant DNA techniques have been developed for gen etically engineered microorganisms for biodegradation of environmental contaminants or for the synthesis of small molecules. These technique s include new expression vectors to carry the heterologous genes into the host organism, new mechanisms to control gene expression, containm ent mechanisms to control persistence of genetically-engineered microo rganisms, application of site-directed and random mutagenesis to incre ase the substrate range or activity of biodegradative enzymes, and met hods to track genetically-engineered microorganisms.