Recombinant DNA techniques for bioremediation and environmentally-friendly synthesis.

A number of new recombinant DNA techniques have been developed for genetically engineered microorganisms for biodegradation of environmental contaminants or for the synthesis of small molecules. These techniques include new expression vectors to carry the heterologous genes into the host organism, new mechanisms to control gene expression, containment mechanisms to control persistence of genetically-engineered microorganisms, application of site-directed and random mutagenesis to increase the substrate range or activity of biodegradative enzymes, and methods to track genetically-engineered microorganisms.