ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights approaches used for increasing genetic and biochemical capabilities targeting the development of efficient plants and microorganisms for bioremediation of heavy metals and radionuclides through environmentally friendly techniques including (i) selective breeding between native and non-native plant species to develop improved clones for biomass production and phytoremediation, (ii) transgenesis, which is based on the introduction of genes (from microbes, plants, or animals) responsible for the production of proteins and peptides, allowing the accumulation and tolerance of a given contaminant in plants or microbes with rapid growth and large biomass, and (iii) improving phytoremediation with biotechnology.
