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Genetically Engineered Microbes
Concepts tested here
- Superbug for oil spills
All Questions
2007 AIPMT-PRE 1 question
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A genetically engineered micro-organism used successfully in bioremediation of oil spills is a species ofBioremediation is the use of living organisms, mainly microbes, to remove pollutants from the environment.
Pseudomonas putida was genetically engineered by the Indian-born scientist Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty and is popularly called the 'superbug'.
Plasmids carrying genes for the breakdown of different hydrocarbons (such as octane, xylene, camphor and naphthalene) were brought together in a single strain.
This strain can degrade the various hydrocarbons present in crude oil, so it is used to clear oil spills.
It was also the first genetically engineered organism to be patented.
Trichoderma is a fungus used as a biocontrol agent, Xanthomonas is a plant pathogen and Bacillus thuringiensis is the source of Bt toxin.
So the micro-organism is a species of Pseudomonas.