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Title: BIOLUMINESCENT GENES AND THEIR USE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Author
item NUNES, VANIA DA - EMBRAPA, CORUMBA, BRAZIL
item Duran, Norma

Submitted to: Brazilian Journal of Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2003
Publication Date: 6/15/2003
Citation: Nunes, V.S., Duran, N.L. Bioluminescent genes and their use in environmental studies. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 34:1571-8382.

Interpretive Summary: Since the discovery of bioluminescence, there has been great progress on the physiology and control of bacterial bioluminescence. This has led to the development and manipulation of bacterial cells as whole-cell biosensors for the detection of a variety of toxic chemicals commonly found in the environment. The applications and limitations of biosensors in environmental and toxicological studies are reviewed. This paper was written to provide engineers and planners with the basic knowledge necessary to assess the usefulness of bioluminescent reporter cells for a variety of environmental monitoring applications. Hence, this information can be of great value in determining the approach for risk assessment projects.

Technical Abstract: Bioluminescent bacteria are widespread in natural environments. Their beauty and ease of detection have led many researchers to study the physiology, biochemistry and genetic control of bacterial bioluminescence. These discoveries have revolutionized the area of Environmental Microbiology through the use of luminescent genes in environmental studies. .This paper will review the chronology of scientific discoveries on the mechanism and genetics of bacterial bioluminescence and the current applications of bioluminescence as whole-cell biosensors used for environmental studies, with special emphasis on the Microtox toxicity bioassay. The ecological significance of bioluminescence in general will also be addressed.