Transforming cyanobacteria into bioreporters of biological relevance.
Microbial bioreporters play an important role in environmental monitoring and ecotoxicology. Microorganisms that are genetically modified with reporter genes can be used in various formats to determine the bioavailability of chemicals and their effect on living organisms. Cyanobacteria are abundant in the photosynthetic biosphere and have considerable potential with regards to broadening bioreporter applications. Two recent studies described novel cyanobacterial reporters for the detection of environmental toxicants and iron availability.
Bachmann
Till
T
Institute of Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany. Till.Bachmann@po.uni-stuttgart.de
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D006540:Herbicides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D006540:Herbicides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007501:Iron