ABSTRACT
Although many aforementioned heavy metal binding organisms have been developed, including genetically engineered E. coli, R. eutropha, P. putida, tobacco or Arabidopsis, most of them have no or poor significance for bioremediation technology. Thus, the construction of environmentally robust (micro)organisms possessing the properties that have been shown to be most instrumental for metal remediation remains a future challenge. Organisms able to grow, survive and properly function in a metalcontaminated environment (in both ex and in situ remediation processes) are needed for successful bioremediation technology. Advances in computer design together with efficient screening of peptide libraries may help in the designing of novel sequences for selective binding of particularly important or hazardous metals. Moreover the use of appropriate regulatory circuits can enhance the quality of the resulting organism.
