Genetically Engineered Microorganisms Research Articles

Progress in polystyrene biodegradation by insect gut microbiota.

Polystyrene (PS) is frequently used in the plastics industry. However, its structural stability and difficulty to break down lead to an abundance of plastic waste in the environment, resulting in micro-nano plastics (MNPs). As MNPs are severe hazards to both human and environmental health, it is crucial to develop innovative treatment technologies to degrade plastic waste. The biodegradation of plastics by insect gut microorganisms has gained attention as it is environmentally friendly, efficient, and safe. However, our knowledge of the biodegradation of PS is still limited. This review summarizes recent research advances on PS biodegradation by gut microorganisms/enzymes from insect larvae of different species, and schematic pathways of the degradation process are discussed in depth. Additionally, the prospect of using modern biotechnology, such as genetic engineering and systems biology, to identify novel PS-degrading microbes/functional genes/enzymes and to realize new strategies for PS biodegradation is highlighted. Challenges and limitations faced by the application of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) and multiomics technologies in the field of plastic pollution bioremediation are also discussed. This review encourages the further exploration of the biodegradation of PS by insect gut microbes/enzymes, offering a cutting-edge perspective to identify PS biodegradation pathways and create effective biodegradation strategies.

The Potential Harmful Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) on the Intestinal Microbiome and Public Health.

Gut luminal dysbiosis and pathobiosis result in compositional and biodiversified alterations in the microbial and host co-metabolites. The primary mechanism of bacterial evolution is horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and the acquisition of new traits can be achieved through the exchange of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Introducing genetically engineered microbes (GEMs) might break the harmonized balance in the intestinal compartment. The present objectives are: 1. To reveal the role played by the GEMs' horizontal gene transfers in changing the landscape of the enteric microbiome eubiosis 2. To expand on the potential detrimental effects of those changes on the human genome and health. A search of articles published in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scielo from 2000 to August 2023 using appropriate MeSH entry terms was performed. The GEMs' horizontal gene exchanges might induce multiple human diseases. The new GEMs can change the long-term natural evolution of the enteric pro- or eukaryotic cell inhabitants. The worldwide regulatory authority's safety control of GEMs is not enough to protect public health. Viability, biocontainment, and many other aspects are only partially controlled and harmful consequences for public health should be avoided. It is important to remember that prevention is the most cost-effective strategy and primum non nocere should be the focus.

Biocontainment Techniques and Applications for Yeast Biotechnology

Biocontainment techniques for genetically modified yeasts (GMYs) are pivotal due to the importance of these organisms for biotechnological processes and also due to the design of new yeast strains by using synthetic biology tools and technologies. Due to the large genetic modifications that many yeast strains display, it is highly desirable to avoid the leakage of GMY cells into natural environments and, consequently, the spread of synthetic genes and circuits by horizontal or vertical gene transfer mechanisms within the microorganisms. Moreover, it is also desirable to avoid patented yeast gene technologies spreading outside the production facility. In this review, the different biocontainment technologies currently available for GMYs were evaluated. Interestingly, uniplex-type biocontainment approaches (UTBAs), which rely on nutrient auxotrophies induced by gene mutation or deletion or the expression of the simple kill switches apparatus, are still the major biocontainment approaches in use with GMY. While bacteria such as Escherichia coli account for advanced biocontainment technologies based on synthetic biology and multiplex-type biocontainment approaches (MTBAs), GMYs are distant from this scenario due to many reasons. Thus, a comparison of different UTBAs and MTBAs applied for GMY and genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) was made, indicating the major advances of biocontainment techniques for GMYs.

Petroleum-contaminated soil: environmental occurrence and remediation strategies.

Soil is an environmental matrix that carries life for all living things. With the rise of human activities and the acceleration of population, the soil has been exposed in part to pollution by the discharge of various xenobiotics and persistent pollutants into it. The disposal of toxic substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) alters soil properties, affects microbial biodiversity, and damages objects. Considering the mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons, the restoration and clean-up of PAH-polluted sites represents an important technological and environmental challenge for sustainable growth and development. Though several treatment methods to remediate PAH-polluted soils exist, interesting bacteria, fungi, and their enzymes receive considerable attention. The aim of the present review is to discuss PAHs' impact on soil properties. Also, this review illustrates physicochemical and biological remediation strategies for treating PAH-contaminated soil. The degradation pathways and contributing factors of microbial PAH-degradation are elucidated. This review also assesses the use of conventional microbial remediation compared to the application of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEM) that can provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly PAH-bioremediation strategy.

X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy on Microbial Cell Surfaces: A Forgotten Method for the Characterization of Microorganisms Encapsulated With Surface-Engineered Shells.

Encapsulation of single microbial cells by surface-engineered shells has great potential for the protection of yeasts and bacteria against harsh environmental conditions, such as elevated temperatures, UV light, extreme pH values, and antimicrobials. Encapsulation with functionalized shells can also alter the surface characteristics of cells in a way that can make them more suitable to perform their function in complex environments, including bio-reactors, bio-fuel production, biosensors, and the human body. Surface-engineered shells bear as an advantage above genetically-engineered microorganisms that the protection and functionalization added are temporary and disappear upon microbial growth, ultimately breaking a shell. Therewith, the danger of creating a “super-bug,” resistant to all known antimicrobial measures does not exist for surface-engineered shells. Encapsulating shells around single microorganisms are predominantly characterized by electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, particulate micro-electrophoresis, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and X-ray diffraction. It is amazing that X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) is forgotten as a method to characterize encapsulated yeasts and bacteria. XPS was introduced several decades ago to characterize the elemental composition of microbial cell surfaces. Microbial sample preparation requires freeze-drying which leaves microorganisms intact. Freeze-dried microorganisms form a powder that can be easily pressed in small cups, suitable for insertion in the high vacuum of an XPS machine and obtaining high resolution spectra. Typically, XPS measures carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus as the most common elements in microbial cell surfaces. Models exist to transform these compositions into well-known, biochemical cell surface components, including proteins, polysaccharides, chitin, glucan, teichoic acid, peptidoglycan, and hydrocarbon like components. Moreover, elemental surface compositions of many different microbial strains and species in freeze-dried conditions, related with zeta potentials of microbial cells, measured in a hydrated state. Relationships between elemental surface compositions measured using XPS in vacuum with characteristics measured in a hydrated state have been taken as a validation of microbial cell surface XPS. Despite the merits of microbial cell surface XPS, XPS has seldom been applied to characterize the many different types of surface-engineered shells around yeasts and bacteria currently described in the literature. In this review, we aim to advocate the use of XPS as a forgotten method for microbial cell surface characterization, for use on surface-engineered shells encapsulating microorganisms.

THE FITNESS OF A RECOMBINANT STRAIN OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA BACTERIA COMPARING WITH ITS PARENT STRAINS UNDER THE EGYPTIAN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (MOWAS RIVER) IN 2020

The present study aimed to study the fitness between a trans-conjugant (recombinant strain) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria with its parents after transferring genetic material by conjugation mechanism. Whereas, environmental fitness expresses the interaction of an organism with its environment therefore it is considered a good indicator for the assessment of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEM) released into nature. Incubation time was carried out in vitro and incubating time in situ in Mowas River Zagazig city during winter and summer. Accordingly, the fitness of the parents and the recombinant strain was studied. The three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1, MAM2 and PU21) were tested on chloramphenicol and tetracycline. Strain MAM2 was resistant to chloramphenicol 1200 µg/ml while was sensitive to tetracycline and has been used as the recipient. While strain PAO1 was resistant to tetracycline 200 µg/ml and was sensitive to chloramphenicol and has been used as the donor. Results proofed the presence of the plasmid in the donor and trans conjugant strains. The donor was treated with acridine orange to match the results obtained with the results at the molecular level. It was observed that bacterial fitness continued for up to 35 days in vitro, while in situ during the summer it did not last at the site for only 21 days. While it lasted 28 days during the summer. So, the risks that may be caused by releasing the genetically modified microorganisms into environments have been canceled. In addition to its ability to preserve the new genetic material, it may be able to transfer this new genetic material to other strains and species that may be live in the same ecosystem, as it is largely stable in the environment. In genetically modified microorganisms that are added to the environments for agricultural uses such as increasing soil fertility (bio-fertilizer) or biodegradation for a harmful substance such as pesticides, the soil must be re-inoculated in

Metal and metal(loids) removal efficiency using genetically engineered microbes: Applications and challenges

The environment is being polluted in different many with metal and metalloid pollution, mostly due to anthropogenic activity, which is directly affecting human and environmental health. Metals and metalloids are highly toxic at low concentrations and contribute primarily to the survival equilibrium of activities in the environment. However, because of non-degradable, they persist in nature and these metal and metalloids bioaccumulate in the food chain. Genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) mediated techniques for the removal of metals and metalloids are considered an environmentally safe and economically feasible strategy. Various forms of GEMs, including fungi, algae, and bacteria have been produced by recombinant DNA and RNA technologies, which have been used to eliminate metal and metalloids compounds from the polluted areas. Besides, GEMs have the potentiality to produce enzymes and other metabolites that are capable of tolerating metals stress and detoxify the pollutants. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the use of GEMs as advanced tools to produce metabolites, signaling molecules, proteins through genetic expression during metal and metalloids interaction, which help in the breakdown of persistent pollutants in the environment.

THE FITNESS OF A GEM STRAIN OF Pseudomonas aeruginosaBACTERIA COMPARING WITH ITS PARENT STRAINS UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

The fitnessof a genetically engineered microorganism strainthat constructed as transconjugant by conjugation mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria comparing with its parent strains has been assessed. Ecological fitness expressesinteractionof an organism with its environment. This consider as a good indicator for the assessment of Genetically Engineered Microorganism (GEM). When released into the environment this assay was carried out under laboratory condition to investigate the effects of environmental condition on the fitness. These laboratory condition included the effect of differentcations(Na+, Ca+2, and Fe+3), different incubation temperatures, pH values and different ratios of the two parents. Increasing of mono, and di cations (Na+, Ca+2) concentrations revealed an increasing in the fitness of parents and transconjugant (GEM( strain up to the maximum concentration (105 mM) with Na+ and (85mM) with Ca+2 and then began to decrease.In the three strains temperature plays an important role in gene transfer rate and fitness, There was a direct relationship between the increasing in temperature until it reaches the optimum temperature and the rate of gene transfer. Also, the highest rate of gene transfer via conjugation appeared when the ratio between the donor and the recipient was 3:1.The best results for bacterial fitness for transconjugant strain and parentsappeared at pH 9, which means increased fitness for both of them.These results show that the transconjugant strain can be have and survive well as its parent strain and the effects of some ecological factor are similar in the three strains.

Biodecomposition of Phenanthrene and Pyrene by a Genetically Engineered Escherichia coli.

Genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) can be used for bioremediation of the biological pollutants into nonhazardous or less-hazardous substances, at lower cost. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of these contaminants that associated with a risk of human cancer development. Genetically engineered E. coli that encoded catechol 2,3- dioxygenase (C230) was created and investigated its ability to biodecomposition of phenanthrene and pyrene in spiked soil using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurement. We revised patents documents relating to the use of GEMs for bioremediation. This approach have already been done in others studies although using other genes codifying for same catechol degradation approach. In this study, we investigated biodecomposition of phenanthrene and pyrene by a genetically engineered Escherichia coli. Briefly, following the cloning of C230 gene (nahH) into pUC18 vector and transformation into E. coli Top10F, the complementary tests, including catalase, oxidase and PCR were used as on isolated bacteria from spiked soil. The results of HPLC measurement showed that in spiked soil containing engineered E. coli, biodegradation of phenanthrene and pyrene comparing to autoclaved soil that inoculated by wild type of E. coli and normal soil group with natural microbial flora, were statistically significant (p<0.05). Moreover, catalase test was positive while the oxidase tests were negative. These findings indicated that genetically manipulated E. coli can provide an effective clean-up process on PAH compounds and it is useful for bioremediation of environmental pollution with petrochemical products.

Role of Microorganisms in the Degradation of Organic Pollutants: A Review

Environmental pollution by organic waste especially hydrocarbons, pesticides, herbicides and other toxic wastes is a global problem. The petroleum industry has created economic boom for many countries and at the same time led to environmental and socio-economic problems. Release of hydrocarbons into the environment whether accidental or due to human activities is the main cause of water and soil pollution. Pesticide application on agricultural soil is now a common practice. Some of these pesticides persist in the soil to form pollutants which may occasionally lead to surface and ground water contamination. It is an important subject to study the role of microorganisms in organic pollutant biodegradation as it is a safe alternative to physicochemical techniques. This paper summarized the general principles of organic pollutant degradation by microorganisms. Emphasis was laid on the biochemistry of hydrocarbon oxidation viz; terminal and sub terminal oxidation of n-alkanes as well as anaerobic degradation of alkanes. This paper also highlighted the pathways for the biodegradation of organic chemicals such as pesticides as well as factors affecting organic pollutant biodegradation. Beside these factors affecting biodegradation, efforts at improving the biodegradative capabilities of microorganisms through biostimulation, bioaugmentation and the use of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEM) were also discussed.

Synthetic biology approaches to biological containment: pre-emptively tackling potential risks.

Biocontainment comprises any strategy applied to ensure that harmful organisms are confined to controlled laboratory conditions and not allowed to escape into the environment. Genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs), regardless of the nature of the modification and how it was established, have potential human or ecological impact if accidentally leaked or voluntarily released into a natural setting. Although all evidence to date is that GEMs are unable to compete in the environment, the power of synthetic biology to rewrite life requires a pre-emptive strategy to tackle possible unknown risks. Physical containment barriers have proven effective but a number of strategies have been developed to further strengthen biocontainment. Research on complex genetic circuits, lethal genes, alternative nucleic acids, genome recoding and synthetic auxotrophies aim to design more effective routes towards biocontainment. Here, we describe recent advances in synthetic biology that contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop new and improved genetic, semantic, metabolic and mechanistic plans for the containment of GEMs.

[Operation Performance of a Bioaugmented Membrane-aerated Biofilm Reactor Treating Atrazine Wastewater].

A hydrophobic SPG (shirasu porous glass) membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) with genetically engineered microorganism (GEM) biofilm formed on the SPG membrane surface was applied to treat atrazine wastewater. The contaminant removal performance and its influencing factors were investigated during the stable operation of this MABR. The results indicated that the oxygen supply capacity could be increased in the SPG membrane aeration when the membrane pore size and the aeration pressure increased, which could improve the performance of COD and atrazine removals. The maximum oxygen supply capacity of hydrophobic SPG membrane with pore size of 1.5 μm was estimated to be about 22.4 g·(m2·d)-1 at aeration pressure of 70 kPa. When aeration pressure was 70 kPa and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 1.5 h, the average COD removal efficiency was 80.1% and the average organic loading rate removed was 1.86 kg·(m3·d)-1in the MABR with 1.5 μm hydrophobic SPG membrane. Under the same operating conditions, the average atrazine removal efficiency was 62.5% and the average atrazine loading rate removed was 0.18 kg·(m3·d)-1. The COD and atrazine removal efficiencies decreased significantly at further shortened HRT and increased influent organic loading rate. DO concentration showed more significant influence on atrazine removal. The simplex genetically engineered microorganism biofilm turned into complex microbial community gradually during MABR operation, but the GEM cells could still reside in the biofilm well. Therefore, the efficient atrazine removal by GEM bioaugmentation could be maintained.

Bioremediation- A Beneficial Use of Biotechnology and Allied Engineering Technologies in Oil Producing Regions

Microbial decomposition has played a major role in the sustenance of societies by decomposing various materials thus enhancing physical space on the earth. However, a continuous increase in world population now threatens the carrying capacity of our planet. Within a defined space on Earth, the ever increasing number of living organisms creates challenges for the management of waste materials generated. Identification and isolation of microbes capable of decomposing wastes and hazardous materials and discovery of processes to produce genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMS) through biotechnological processes give hope to making this world a better place to live by managing global wastes using tamed microorganisms. Scientists coin this process of utilizing GEMS with defined characteristics of decontaminating waste and harmful materials as bioremediation. In this study, we evaluate relative scientific data from bioremediation and oil spills in the Middle East. The US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, PubMed and PubMed Health databases were used for retrieving information relevant to application of bioremediation in oil spills and issues associated with oil contamination in peripheries of oil drilling areas. The size of these databases gradually increase, however, based on our access in the last week of October 2015, the word “bioremediation” search on the PubMed databases returned above 36,000 articles, and among these a combined search of “bioremediation AND Oil” returned 2,400 articles which shows that 7% of global research in the area of bioremediation is dedicated towards oil cleaning. A further refining of the search in reference to Middle East (bioremediation AND Oil AND Middle East) returns 41 articles thus revealing 1.7% of the research activities occur in the Middle East. According to the US Energy Information Administration, the Middle East harbors 49% reserves of crude oil, whereas, it shares a significantly weaker output as far as scientific contributions remain. Based on this information, we provide our analyses of the ongoing bioremediation in general with a particular focus on oil and propose strengthening of biotechnology programs in collaboration with the discipline of engineering to foster research in oil bioremediation in the Middle East

Construction of genetically engineered bacteria that degrades organophosphorus pesticide residues and can be easily detected by the fluorescence

Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are widely used in agriculture and industry and there is increased concern about their toxicological effects in the environment. Bioremediation can offer an efficient and cost-effective option for the removal of OPs. Herein, we describe the construction of a genetically engineered microorganism (GEM) that can degrade OPs and be directly detected and monitored in the environment using an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion strategy. The coding regions of EGFP, a reporter protein that can fluoresce by itself, and organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH), which has a broad substrate specificity and is able to hydrolyse a number of organophosphorus pesticides, were cloned into the expression vector pET-28b. The fusion protein of EGFP–OPH was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and the protein expression reached the highest level at 11h after isopropyl β -d-thiogalactopyranoside induction. The fluorescence of the GEM was detected by fluorescence spectrophotometry and microscopy, and its ability to degrade OPs was determined by OPH activity assay. Those GEM that express the fusion protein (EGFP and OPH) exhibited strong fluorescence intensity and also potent hydrolase activity, which could be used to degrade organophosphorus pesticide residues in the environment and can also be directly monitored by fluorescence.

Genetically Engineered Microorganisms: A Problem Solving Approach for Bioremediation

Journal of Bioremediation and Biodegradation is an open access journal which deals with the publication in the field of bioremediation and biodegradation. This journal removes the price barrier and permission barrier and provides wider and easier access to this literature. Open access policy allows free availability on the internet, permitting any users to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles, use them for any other lawful purpose, without financial, legal, or technical barriers. This journal is most suitable to express my views on the use of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs). This article will focus on the development of GEMs for bioremediation which will solve the problems associated with the use of wild strains, i.e. related to their monitoring, existence in the environment.

Simultaneous degradation of organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides by Sphingobium japonicum UT26 with surface-displayed organophosphorus hydrolase

A genetically engineered microorganism (GEM) capable of simultaneously degrading organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides was constructed for the first time by display of organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) on the cell surface of a hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-degrading Sphingobium japonicum UT26. The GEM could potentially be used for removing the two classes of pesticides that may be present in mixtures at contaminated sites. A surface anchor system derived from the truncated ice nucleation protein (INPNC) from Pseudomonas syringae was used to target OPH onto the cell surface of UT26, reducing the potential substrate uptake limitation. The surface localization of INPNC-OPH fusion was verified by cell fractionation, western blot, proteinase accessibility, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, the functionality of the surface-exposed OPH was demonstrated by OPH activity assays. Surface display of INPNC-OPH fusion (82kDa) neither inhibited cell growth nor affected cell viability. The engineered UT26 could degrade parathion as well as γ-HCH rapidly in minimal salt medium. The removal of parathion and γ-HCH by engineered UT26 in sterile and non-sterile soil was also studied. In both soil samples, a mixture of parathion (100mgkg(-1)) and γ-HCH (10mgkg(-1)) could be degraded completely within 15days. Soil treatment results indicated that the engineered UT26 is a promising multifunctional bacterium that could be used for the bioremediation of multiple pesticide-contaminated environments.

Exploration of genetic information from dynamic microbial populations for enhancing the efficiency of azo-dye-degrading systems

Dye degradation is presently an important area of scientific activity. Today, most wastewater treatment makes use of the conventional processes in the presence and action of a native microbial population. However, the potential natural microbial population and genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) could successfully bioaugment dye biotreatment systems to enhance efficiency. Consequently, treatment facilities are designed to maintain a high density of the desired microbial population to satisfy the bioremediation demand. Nevertheless, malefactions resulting in a decrease of activity are frequent. To better understand the function of the bacterial community, a full description of the microbial population is required. The prominent task of the microbiologist is to compare the structure, dynamics, and function of the existing microbial populations. Even though the last decade has seen a revolution in microbiology, microbial population monitoring still relies on the tools that were available at the beginning of this century. It is the goal of this review to explain the potential and importance of the newly available molecular tools for analyzing microbial populations. Molecular techniques over the last few decades have revealed an enormous reservoir of unexplained microbes. This large genetic diversity has an immense potential to be used as a resource for the development of novel biotransformations, bioremediation processes, and bioenergy generation. This paper will review bioremediation and the exploration of genetic information from microbial populations for efficiency enhancement.

Novel Techniques in the Production of Industrially Imperative Products

The products which are being developed by the biotechnology industry have huge implications for our future health and well-being. All these discoveries in current biotechnical research and its applications will have repercussions within the human history. In recent years, microbial fermentations have been revolutionized by the application of genetically-engineered microorganisms. Economic importance of bacteria describes mainly from the fact that they are extensively exploited by humans in a number of beneficial ways. Fermentation is one such phenomenon in which micro organisms like bacteria, fungi, algae, etc are utilized for production of novel products. Industries like, diary, food, textile, baking etc are most benefited by these fermented products. Present article mainly focuses on the recent techniques which are involved in enhanced production of imperative products like lactic acid, cellulase, Human interferon α, and exopolysaccharide, and advantages of fermentation technology

Qualitative and Quantitative Detection of Agricultural Microorganisms Expressing Iturin and Mop Cyclase in Soils

The environmental release of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) to improve agriculture or remediate environmental hazards has raised concern over the fate of the organisms and their engineered genes. To detect the microorganisms released into the environment at the molecular level, Bacillus subtilis KB producing iturin and Pseudomonas fluorescens MX1 carrying the moc (mannityl opine catabolism) region from the Agrobacterium tumefaciens were employed as model microorganisms. Using specific fusion primers and the TaqMan probes, qualitative and quantitative detections of the model organisms by PCR and real-time PCR were conducted employing a small-scale soil-core device and pots during the six month period. The data indicate that the model bacteria can be easily detected by qualitative and quantitative methods in the test systems employed, and they do not give significant impacts on the other bacteria in soils on the Southern blotting analysis, although long-term observation may be needed.

Characterization of a fenpropathrin-degrading strain and construction of a genetically engineered microorganism for simultaneous degradation of methyl parathion and fenpropathrin

A gram-negative fenpropathrin-degrading bacterial strain Sphingobium sp. JQL4-5 was isolated from the wastewater treatment sludge of an insecticide factory. Strain JQL4-5 showed the ability to degrade other pyrethroid insecticides, but it was not able to degrade methyl parathion. To enhance its degrading range of substrate, a methyl parathion hydrolase gene ( mpd) was successfully introduced into the chromosome of strain JQL4-5 with a mini-Tn-transposon system. A genetically engineered microorganism (GEM) named JQL4-5- mpd resulted, which was capable of simultaneously degrading methyl parathion and fenpropathrin. Soil treatment results indicated that JQL4-5- mpd is a promising multifunctional bacterium in the bioremediation of multiple pesticide-contaminated environments.