ABSTRACT
This chapter describes efforts relative to the application of recombinant techniques directly to bioremediation efforts and the author’s perceptions of difficulties and obstacles to be overcome. Research efforts are specifically directed toward manipulation of the vast repertoire of metabolic capabilities encoded within the genes of bacteria. Genetic engineering has allowed researchers to circumvent difficulties inherent in breeding processes and more rapidly achieve the desired results. The chapter focuses on the identification of the enzymes involved in trichloroethylene (TCE) cometabolism and characterization of the regulation of their expression. The mineralization of TCE is an example of a cometabolic activity. In order to identify the location of the phenol hydroxylase gene and implicate its involvement in TCE degradation, mutants were isolated that are defective in phenol hydroxylase. Transposon-induced mutants also facilitate the identification and isolation of genes of interest because of the kanamycin resistance gene carried by the transposon.
