Applications for DNA Probes in Biodegradation Research

摘要

The use of DNA:DNA hybridization technology in biodegradation studies is investigated. The rate constants for sediments exposed to synthetic oils could be calculated from the NAH(1+) genotypes and this approach would be useful in predicting the kinetics of aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. Gene probes prepared from NAH7 plasmid were also used to monitor and enumerate the naphthalene-degrading populations in a continuous mixed culture bioreactor and this analysis demonstrated at least one order of magnitude difference in the naphthalene-degrading population over the conventional plate analysis. It was also shown that using pSS50 (a chlorobiphenyl mineralizing plasmid) as probe DNA, other polychlorinated biphenyls degrading organisms can be identified from the environment. Further, the maintenance and stability of a genetically modified Pseudomonas putida (carrying plasmids TOL and RK2) over an 8-week period in chemically contaminated groundwater aquifer material was established.