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Recent Advancement in Phytoremediation for Removal of Toxic Compounds
Published in Amit Kumar, Chhotu Ram, Nanobiotechnology for Green Environment, 2021
Yilkal Bezie, Mengistie Taye, Amit Kumar
The phytoremediation process is dependent on edaphic factors and soil chemistry; whereas, the soil pH, conductivity, porosity, nutrient levels, and presence of soil microbes are instrumental in deciding the uptake mechanisms of the plants. Climate is also a factor to determine the remediation either positively or negatively. Stressed climate reduces the biomass of the plant and prolongs the remediation time. Another factor that might hamper the phytoremediation potential is the age of the plant. Younger plants could remediate better than older plants. Older plants might hold more toxic pollutants. Agronomic practice and soil amendment may negatively influence the mobility of contaminates (Mahar et al., 2016). Transgenic plants may be an environmental concern as well as human or animal health concerns if the horizontal gene pollution happened. In the case of transgenic plants, the possible risk and the proper management techniques during transformation should be considered.
Current Status and Future Prospects
Published in Stephen P. Slocombe, John R. Benemann, Microalgal Production, 2017
Genome editing refers to the application of a range of molecular tools to target a precise site within a genome, generally introducing double-strand breaks (DSBs) into that site that are then repaired to result in a modest deletion of a few nucleotides in the native gene. Using these tools, mutations can be created within native genes without the need for insertional inactivation by incorporation of a foreign gene encoding a selectable marker. As such, the various regulatory bodies that oversee the application of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including modified plants (including the European Food Standards Agency [EFSA] and the German Biosafety Commission [ZKBS]) have considered that organisms created using similar approaches where there is no foreign transgene incorporated into the genome and where the change that has been effected is small (more similar to a naturally occurring mutation) should not be subject to the regulations governing the use of GMOs (Podevin et al. 2013). Of course, this is a subject of formal regulatory review with the science being ahead of the regulatory framework and presenting a significant challenge to the current definitions of what constitutes a GM organism, particularly under current EU definitions.
Biomanufacture
Published in John M. Centanni, Michael J. Roy, Biotechnology Operations, 2016
John M. Centanni, Michael J. Roy
A transgenic plant or animal is a plant or animal that has been genetically altered using recombinant DNA techniques to create a genetically unique organism. The transgenic organism contains an exogenous gene or genes that have been intentionally inserted into their genome. Once inserted, the expression of the exogenous gene can express the protein of interest, often a glycoprotein, and, in some cases, secrete this protein with tissue fluid. In the case of a transgenic plant, the protein can then be extracted from biomass, that is, stems or leaves, or from seed. In case of transgenic animals, the protein is available from secretions, notably milk. Hence, the plant or animal functions as a bioreactor, producing appreciable amounts of the desired protein as BS. As one would anticipate, production of a transgenic organism capable of producing and secreting the perfect protein is highly technical and requires significant experience and skill. As with any biopharmaceutical, the protein product must be isolated and purified from other molecules and it must possess posttranslational modifications and structure that allow full biological function and should be without modifications that could make the molecule allergenic or nonfunctional. This process, using a transgenic goat secreting in milk, is provided in Figure 6.15.
Harnessing gene drive
Published in Journal of Responsible Innovation, 2018
John Min, Andrea L. Smidler, Devora Najjar, Kevin M. Esvelt
Drive systems within these classes vary in their degree of reversibility, ability to maintain costly alterations, capacity to suppress as well as alter populations, and whether engineered systems have been validated in the laboratory (Box 1).Key classes of gene drive systems.Local drive systems exclusively affect local but not global populations.Standard drive systems have the potential to affect every population of the target species.Sequence-reversible systems can restore the original wild-type genome sequence. It cannot be distinguished from the natural state of a population.Trait-reversible systems can restore the original phenotype, but not the exact DNA sequence. If done correctly, this is operationally indistinguishable from sequence reversibility and may allow for improved accounting, but some may value the natural state.Irreversible systems spread alterations that cannot be undone using the same drive type.Alteration drive systems directly change the DNA sequence and therefore the traits and behaviors of affected organisms. They can either add new transgenes or edit existing genes.Suppression drive systems directly reduce the overall number of organisms in the population, potentially to extinction.Immunizing drive systems spread through and recode the DNA of the wild-type population to block the spread of another drive system.Cyclic drive systems can maintain costly traits by periodically overwriting broken versions.