Fate of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) and Genetically Engineered DNA Sequences (GEDs) in some environmental hot spots: polluted soils, river sediment, decaying and diseased plants; role of BHR plasmids and development of cont
Country: EU Projects
Start Date:   1/10/1993         Duration: 24 months         Project Type: RTD
Contract Number: 
Organisation Type:  EC Project
Topics: 
Contaminated land-->Remediation options-->In situ treatment technologies
Project objectives: 
The study of the behaviour and influence of GEM's in microbial environmental 'hot spots' with special emphasis on the role of broad host range plasmids in gene 
dissemination and the development of bacterial containment systems.   
Current objectives for the continuing project include;  
monitoring of the fate genetically engineered microorganism (GEM's) and genetically engineered DS (GEDS) in potential environmental hot spots with special 
emphasis on the role of broad host range (BHR) plasmids;  
study of the genetic transfer potential in the environmental hot spots using exogenous plasmid isolation;  
development of a rapid method for total extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from soils;  
development of bacterial containment systems.
Project Summary: 
Different GEM's and GEDS were constructed which will be used in the different microcosms to study gene escape. The GEM's contain marker genes based on heavy 
metal resistance and organic xenobiotioc degradation. Heavy metal resistance genes can be used as useful marker genes to study gene transfer form P putida 
and E coli to A eutrophus in microcosms as they allow the use of very selective media against donor and the natural microbial population. On the other hand in order 
to study the escape of genes from an introduced micro-organism to the indigenous micropopulation marker genes are needed which are expressed in a broad range 
of bacteria. Genes encoding resistance to mercury and encoding the meta cleavage of 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl or catechol into an easily detectable yellow cleavage 
product were found to be expressed in a wide range of bacteria.
Achieved Objectives:
Product Descriptions:
Additional Information:
Project Resources:
Weblink:
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/4525_en.html
Funding Programme(s): 
FP2-BRIDGE Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of biotechnology (BRIDGE)
Link to Organisations:
Submitted by: EUGRIS Team Professor Paul Bardos  Who does what?  28/11/2017 15:55:00