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Fluorescence-Based Soil Survival Analysis of the Xenobiotic- and Metal-Detoxifying Streptomyces sp. MC1

Summary

Scientists developed a way to track a soil bacterium called Streptomyces sp. MC1 that can clean up polluted soils by breaking down harmful chemicals and reducing toxic metals like chromium. They added a glowing green fluorescent protein to the bacteria so they could easily see where the bacteria were and how long they survived in contaminated soil. In tests with soil contaminated with two different pollutants, the tagged bacteria successfully removed over 96% of chromium and 65% of lindane over 28 days, demonstrating the approach works for monitoring bioremediation efforts.

Background

Streptomyces sp. MC1 is a bacterium isolated from environments contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants that can reduce chromium and degrade lindane. A major challenge in bioremediation trials is monitoring bacterial survival in soil using traditional cultivation methods that lack precision in distinguishing introduced strains from native microbes.

Objective

This study aimed to introduce fluorescence tagging and selectable markers into Streptomyces sp. MC1 through intergeneric conjugation to enable precise monitoring of the strain’s survival during bioremediation of soils co-contaminated with chromium and lindane.

Results

Optimal conjugation conditions included low concentrations of both Streptomyces sp. MC1 spores and E. coli S17-1 with MgCl2 in the medium. Site-specific plasmid integration and mGFP expression were confirmed in exconjugants. Fluorescence-tagged Streptomyces sp. MC1 successfully survived 28 days in contaminated soil while achieving 96% Cr(VI) removal and 65% lindane degradation.

Conclusion

The successful introduction of fluorescence tagging into Streptomyces sp. MC1 enables precise real-time tracking of the strain during bioremediation, providing a significant advancement over traditional cultivation methods. This approach facilitates further characterization of the strain and accelerates its development for bioremediation applications.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms27010093, PMID: 41515973
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