Lux as a marker gene to track microbes

Abstract

Molecular marker systems have been developed to supplement traditional techniques for the detection of microorganisms and to assess their activity in natural environments. Much of the impetus for their development has come from the potential commercial use of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) in the environment, for bioremediation and improvement of plant growth and protection. The likely environmental release of GEMs has raised concerns regarding associated potential risks. This in turn has led to legislation for environmental release of GEMs, such that detailed information on their ecology and environmental impact must be provided before approval for release is granted. Assessment of environmental impact and of risks associated with environmental release of GEMs requires knowledge of microbial survival, growth, activity and dispersal within the environment and of the persistence of recombinant DNA and its transfer to the indigenous microflora. It is therefore necessary to detect and quantify concentrations of total, viable, culturable and nonculturable inoculum cells, to measure their actual and potential activities and to determine the presence and expression of recombinant DNA in the progeny of inocula and in indigenous organisms.