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855400.9963Nanomaterial-Enhanced Hybrid Disinfection: A Solution to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Wastewater. This review explores the potential of nanomaterial-enhanced hybrid disinfection methods as effective strategies for addressing the growing challenge of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment. By integrating hybrid nanocomposites and nanomaterials, natural biocides such as terpenes, and ultrasonication, this approach significantly enhances disinfection efficiency compared to conventional methods. The review highlights the mechanisms through which hybrid nanocomposites and nanomaterials generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under blue LED irradiation, effectively disrupting MDR bacteria while improving the efficacy of natural biocides through synergistic interactions. Additionally, the review examines critical operational parameters-such as light intensity, catalyst dosage, and ultrasonication power-that optimize treatment outcomes and ensure the reusability of hybrid nanocomposites and other nanomaterials without significant loss of photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, this hybrid method shows promise in degrading ARGs, thereby addressing both microbial and genetic pollution. Overall, this review underscores the need for innovative wastewater treatment solutions that are efficient, sustainable, and scalable, contributing to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.202439591087
855710.9963Efficient inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria by iron-modified biochar and persulfate system: Potential for controlling antimicrobial resistance spread and mechanism insights. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat, further intensified by the widespread dissemination of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which poses a significant challenge to the "One Health" concept. Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs) have emerged as effective disinfection methods, capable of degrading antibiotics, inactivating bacteria, and eliminating ARGs, whereas their efficacy towards blocking ARGs horizontal transfer remains elusive. This work constructed a series of Fe-modified soybean straw biochar (FeSSB) as persulfate (PS) activators through Fe-modification and temperature regulation. Among the tested systems, FeSSB800/PS achieved complete inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) with a 7.04-log reduction within 60 min, outperforming others. FeSSB800, featuring the highest exposed-Fe(II) sites, most CO groups, and lowest charge transfer resistance, obtaining optimal PS activation and reactive species generation, which caused irreversible damage to ARB cells and significantly inhibited the transformation and conjugation efficiency of plasmid RP4. The inhibition mechanism is driven by the aggressive action of free radicals, which injure cell envelopes, induce oxidative stress, disrupt ATP synthesis, and alter intercellular adhesion. These findings underscore the potential of PS-AOPs as a promising strategy to mitigate AMR by simultaneously inactivating ARB and impeding ARGs dissemination.202540203758
855520.9961Combating Antibiotic Resistance in Persulfate-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes: Activation Methods and Energy Consumption. Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) have become increasing concerning issues, threatening human health. Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs), due to their remarkable potential in combating antibiotic resistance, have garnered significant attention in the field of disinfection in recent years. In this review, we systematically evaluated the efficacy and underlying mechanism of PS integration with various activation methods for the elimination of ARB/ARGs. These approaches encompass physical methods, catalyst activation, and hybrid techniques with photocatalysis, ozonation, and electrochemistry. Additionally, we employed Chick's model and electrical energy per log order (EE/O) to assess the performance and energy efficiency, respectively. This review aims at providing a guide for future investigation on PS-AOPs for antibiotic resistance control.202539864723
854830.9961Persulfate salts to combat bacterial resistance in the environment through antibiotic degradation and biofilm disruption. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) have become a critical topic among researchers because of the excessive use of antibiotics in human and animal health care. Globally, it poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. Antibiotics are often poorly metabolized, with 30-90 % excreted into the environment, contaminating aquatic and ground ecosystems, and fostering resistance. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), particularly sulfate radical-based AOPs (SR-AOPs), offer promising solutions for degrading antibiotics and resistant biofilms. Persulfate (PS) and Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) are key oxidants in these processes, generating sulfate and hydroxyl radicals when activated by heat, UV light, or transition metals. PS with a redox potential of E°=2.01 V is an affordable and effective oxidant. However, PS requires activation for the degradation of contaminants. PMS is stable across a broad pH range and produces both sulfate and hydroxyl radicals, allowing it to function independently without activation. Thus, PMS serving as a versatile agent for environmental treatment. This review broadly describes the degradation mechanisms of different classes of antibiotics and biofilms. Despite these promising developments, SR-AOPs still face challenges in managing complex wastewater systems, which often contain multiple pollutants. Moreover, gaps remain in understanding of the toxicity of reaction intermediates and in optimizing the large-scale application of these processes. Future research should focus on the in-situ generation of sulfate radicals, combining different activation methods to enhance degradation efficiency, and developing sustainable and cost-effective approaches for large-scale wastewater treatment.202540532556
855240.9960Sustainable material platforms for multi-log removal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes from wastewater: A review. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and the associated resistance genes (ARGs) are now recognized as emerging contaminants that can disseminate via wastewater streams, posing significant risks to both human and ecosystem health. Conventional physicochemical treatment approaches (e.g., chlorination, ozonation, advanced oxidation processes) typically suppress these contaminants but may also result in the formation of hazardous by-products. This critical review comprehensibly evaluates bio-based and other sustainable materials designed for the removal of ARB and ARGs from aqueous environments. The materials are systematically categorized into (i) biopolymers and their composites (chitosan, alginate, cellulose), (ii) carbon-rich adsorbents and (photo-)catalysts (biochar, activated carbon, graphene), (iii) metal- and semiconductor-based nanomaterials, and (iv) nature-based treatment solutions (constructed wetlands, soil-aquifer treatment, clay sorbents). Observed log-reduction value range from 2 to 7 for ARB with platforms such as zinc oxide/activated-carbon alginate beads, Fe/N-doped biochars, and graphene-supramolecular-porphyrin hybrids demonstrating high multifunctional efficacy. Mechanistic studies reveal that removal involves synergistic adsorption, photodynamic or Fenton-like oxidation, cell-membrane disruption, and inhibition of horizontal gene transfer. This review emphasizes the advancing potential of sustainable material solutions for mitigating antibiotic resistance and highlights the urgent need to develop scalable, environmentally sustainable treatment methods for protecting water resources and public health.202540763861
861650.9958Mechanisms of inhibition and recovery under multi-antibiotic stress in anammox: A critical review. With the escalating global concern for emerging pollutants, particularly antibiotics, microplastics, and nanomaterials, the potential disruption they pose to critical environmental processes like anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) has become a pressing issue. The anammox process, which plays a crucial role in nitrogen removal from wastewater, is particularly sensitive to external pollutants. This paper endeavors to address this knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the inhibition mechanisms of multi-antibiotic on anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, along with insights into their recovery processes. The paper dives deeply into the various ways antibiotics interact with anammox bacteria, focusing specifically on their interference with the bacteria's extracellular polymers (EPS) - crucial components that maintain the structural integrity and functionality of the cells. Additionally, it explores how anammox bacteria utilize quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms to regulate their community structure and respond to antibiotic stress. Moreover, the paper summarizes effective removal methods for these antibiotics from wastewater systems, which is crucial for mitigating their inhibitory effects on anammox bacteria. Finally, the paper offers valuable insights into how anammox communities can recuperate from multi-antibiotic stress. This includes strategies for reintroducing healthy bacteria, optimizing operational conditions, and using bioaugmentation techniques to enhance the resilience of anammox communities. In summary, this paper not only enriches our understanding of the complex interactions between antibiotics and anammox bacteria but also provides theoretical and practical guidance for the treatment of antibiotic pollution in sewage, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of wastewater treatment processes.202439366232
816360.9957Green materials science and engineering reduces biofouling: approaches for medical and membrane-based technologies. Numerous engineered and natural environments suffer deleterious effects from biofouling and/or biofilm formation. For instance, bacterial contamination on biomedical devices pose serious health concerns. In membrane-based technologies, such as desalination and wastewater reuse, biofouling decreases membrane lifetime, and increases the energy required to produce clean water. Traditionally, approaches have combatted bacteria using bactericidal agents. However, due to globalization, a decline in antibiotic discovery, and the widespread resistance of microbes to many commercial antibiotics and metallic nanoparticles, new materials, and approaches to reduce biofilm formation are needed. In this mini-review, we cover the recent strategies that have been explored to combat microbial contamination without exerting evolutionary pressure on microorganisms. Renewable feedstocks, relying on structure-property relationships, bioinspired/nature-derived compounds, and green processing methods are discussed. Greener strategies that mitigate biofouling hold great potential to positively impact human health and safety.201525852659
855370.9957Unveiling the power of nanotechnology: a novel approach to eliminating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes from municipal effluent. The increasing global population and declining freshwater resources have heightened the urgency of ensuring safe and accessible water supplies.Query The persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in municipal effluents poses a significant public health threat, exacerbated by the widespread use of antibiotics and the inadequate removal of contaminants in wastewater treatment facilities. Conventional treatment methods often fail to eliminate these emerging pollutants, facilitating their entry into agricultural systems and natural water bodies, thereby accelerating the spread of antimicrobial resistance. To address these challenges, interdisciplinary strategies in water treatment are essential. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach due to its unique physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and high efficiency in detecting and removing biological and chemical contaminants. Various nanomaterials, including graphene-based structures, Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), noble metal nanoparticles (gold (Au) and silver (Ag)), silicon and chitosan-based nanomaterials, as well as titanium and Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials, demonstrate potent antimicrobial effects. Moreover, nanosensors and photocatalysts utilizing these nanomaterials enable precise detection and effective degradation of ARB and ARGs in wastewater. This review examines the mechanisms by which nanotechnology-based materials can mitigate the risks associated with antibiotic resistance in urban effluents, focusing on their applications in pathogen detection, pollutant removal, and wastewater treatment. By integrating nanotechnology into existing treatment frameworks, we can significantly enhance the efficiency of water purification processes, ultimately contributing to global water security and the protection of public health.202540512401
854780.9957Molecular level removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes: A review of interfacial chemical in advanced oxidation processes. As a kind of novel and persistent environmental pollutants, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been frequently detected in different aquatic environment, posing potential risks to public health and ecosystems, resulting in a biosecurity issue that cannot be ignored. Therefore, in order to control the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment, advanced oxidation technology (such as Fenton-like, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis) has become an effective weapon for inactivating and eliminating ARB and ARGs. However, in the process of advanced oxidation technology, studying and regulating catalytic active sites at the molecular level and studying the adsorption and surface oxidation reactions between catalysts and ARGs can achieve in-depth exploration of the mechanism of ARGs removal. This review systematically reveals the catalytic sites and related mechanisms of catalytic antagonistic genes in different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) systems. We also summarize the removal mechanism of ARGs and how to reduce the spread of ARGs in the environment through combining a variety of characterization methods. Importantly, the potential of various catalysts for removing ARGs in practical applications has also been recognized, providing a promising approach for the deep purification of wastewater treatment plants.202438447374
861590.9957How anammox responds to the emerging contaminants: Status and mechanisms. Numerous researches have been carried out to study the effects of emerging contaminants in wastewater, such as antibiotics, nanomaterials, heavy metals, and microplastics, on the anammox process. However, they are fragmented and difficult to provide a comprehensive understanding of their effects on reactor performance and the metabolic mechanisms in anammox bacteria. Therefore, this paper overviews the effects on anammox processes by the introduced emerging contaminants in the past years to fulfill such knowledge gaps that affect our perception of the inhibitory mechanisms and limit the optimization of the anammox process. In detail, their effects on anammox processes from the aspects of reactor performance, microbial community, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and functional genes related to anammox and nitrogen transformation in anammox consortia are summarized. Furthermore, the metabolic mechanisms causing the cell death of anammox bacteria, such as induction of reactive oxygen species, limitation of substrates diffusion, and membrane binding are proposed. By offering this review, the remaining research gaps are identified, and the potential metabolic mechanisms in anammox consortia are highlighted.202134087646
8487100.9957Mechanisms of nano zero-valent iron in enhancing dibenzofuran degradation by a Rhodococcus sp.: Trade-offs between ATP production and protection against reactive oxygen species. Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) can enhance pollutants biodegradation, but it displays toxicity towards microorganisms. Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria exhibit greater resistance to nZVI than Gram-negative bacteria. However, mechanisms of nZVI accelerating pollutants degradation by G(+) bacteria remain unclear. Herein, we explored effects of nZVI on a G(+) bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. strain p52, and mechanisms by which nZVI accelerates biodegradation of dibenzofuran, a typical polycyclic aromatic compound. Electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed that nZVI could penetrate cell membranes, which caused damage and growth inhibition. nZVI promoted dibenzofuran biodegradation at certain concentrations, while higher concentration functioned later due to the delayed reactive oxygen species (ROS) mitigation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that cells adopted response mechanisms to handle the elevated ROS induced by nZVI. ATP production was enhanced by accelerated dibenzofuran degradation, providing energy for protein synthesis related to antioxidant stress and damage repair. Meanwhile, electron transport chain (ETC) was adjusted to mitigate ROS accumulation, which involved downregulating expression of ETC complex I-related genes, as well as upregulating expression of the genes for the ROS-scavenging cytochrome bd complex and ETC complex II. These findings revealed the mechanisms underlying nZVI-enhanced biodegradation by G(+) bacteria, offering insights into optimizing bioremediation strategies involving nZVI.202539549579
7853110.9957Natural pyrite and ascorbic acid co-enhance periodate activation for inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria and inhibition of resistance genes transmission: A green disinfection process dominated by singlet oxygen. The transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the propagation of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) threaten public health security and human health, and greener and more efficient disinfection technologies are expected to be discovered for wastewater treatment. In this study, natural pyrite and ascorbic acid (AA) were proposed as environmental-friendly activator and reductant for periodate (PI) activation to inactivate ARB. The disinfection treatment of PI/pyrite/AA system could inactivate 5.62 log ARB within 30 min, and the lower pH and higher PI and natural pyrite dosage could further boost the disinfection efficiency. The (1)O(2) and SO(4)(•-) were demonstrated to be crucial for the inactivation of ARB in PI/pyrite/AA system. The disinfection process destroyed the morphological structure of ARB, inducing oxidative stress and stimulating the antioxidant system. The PI/pyrite/AA system effectively reduced the intracellular and extracellular DNA concentration and ARGs abundance, inhibiting the propagation of ARGs. The presence of AA facilitated the activation of PI with natural pyrite and significantly increased the concentration of Fe(2+) in solution. The reusability of natural pyrite, the safety of the disinfection by-products and the inhibition of ARB regeneration indicated the application potential of PI/pyrite/AA system in wastewater disinfection.202439038380
7854120.9956Removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes in water by ozonation and electro-peroxone process. The electro-peroxone (EP) process is an electricity-based oxidation process enabled by electrochemically generating hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) from cathodic oxygen (O(2)) reduction during ozonation. In this study, the removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during groundwater treatment by ozonation alone and the EP process was compared. Owing to the H(2)O(2)-promoted ozone (O(3)) conversion to hydroxyl radicals (•OH), higher •OH exposures, but lower O(3) exposures were obtained during the EP process than ozonation alone. This opposite change of O(3) and •OH exposures decreases the efficiency of ARB inactivation and ARG degradation moderately during the EP process compared with ozonation alone. These results suggest that regarding ARB inactivation and ARG degradation, the reduction of O(3) exposures may not be fully counterbalanced by the rise of •OH exposures when changing ozonation to the EP process. However, due to the rise of •OH exposure, plasmid DNA was more effectively cleaved to shorter fragments during the EP process than ozonation alone, which may decrease the risks of natural transformation of ARGs. These findings highlight that the influence of the EP process on ARB and ARG inactivation needs to be considered when implementing this process in water treatment.202336738938
8617130.9954Antibiotic removal by microalgae-bacteria consortium: Metabolic pathways and microbial responses. The proliferation of antibiotic-resistance genes is a result of the rise in the discharge of residual antibiotics into waterbodies from a variety of sources. Antibiotic removal by microalgae-bacteria consortium has been shown to be effective, therefore, there is a need to understand the involved microbial processes. This review summarizes the microbiological removal mechanisms of antibiotics by the microalgae-bacteria consortium, such as biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biodegradation. Factors that influence antibiotic removal are discussed. Co-metabolism of nutrients and antibiotics in the microalgae-bacteria consortium and the metabolic pathways revealed by omics technologies are also highlighted. Furthermore, the responses of microalgae and bacteria to antibiotic stress are elaborated, including reactive oxidizing species (ROS) generation and its effects on photosynthesis machinery, antibiotic stress tolerance, microbial community shift, and the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Finally, we offer a prospective solutions for the optimization and applications of microalgae-bacteria symbiotic systems for antibiotic removal.202337279806
8634140.9954Synthetic bacteria designed using ars operons: a promising solution for arsenic biosensing and bioremediation. The global concern over arsenic contamination in water due to its natural occurrence and human activities has led to the development of innovative solutions for its detection and remediation. Microbial metabolism and mobilization play crucial roles in the global cycle of arsenic. Many microbial arsenic-resistance systems, especially the ars operons, prevalent in bacterial plasmids and genomes, play vital roles in arsenic resistance and are utilized as templates for designing synthetic bacteria. This review novelty focuses on the use of these tailored bacteria, engineered with ars operons, for arsenic biosensing and bioremediation. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using synthetic bacteria in arsenic pollution treatment. We highlight the importance of genetic circuit design, reporter development, and chassis cell optimization to improve biosensors' performance. Bacterial arsenic resistances involving several processes, such as uptake, transformation, and methylation, engineered in customized bacteria have been summarized for arsenic bioaccumulation, detoxification, and biosorption. In this review, we present recent insights on the use of synthetic bacteria designed with ars operons for developing tailored bacteria for controlling arsenic pollution, offering a promising avenue for future research and application in environmental protection.202438709285
8609150.9954Nano-biochar regulates phage-host interactions, reducing antibiotic resistance genes in vermicomposting systems. Biochar amendment reshapes microbial community dynamics in vermicomposting, but the mechanism of how phages respond to this anthropogenic intervention and regulate the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remains unclear. In this study, we used metagenomics, viromics, and laboratory validation to explore how nano-biochar affects phage-host interactions and ARGs dissemination in vermicomposting. Our results revealed distinct niche-specific phage life strategies. In vermicompost, lytic phages dominated and used a "kill-the-winner" strategy to suppress antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). In contrast, lysogenic phages prevailed in the earthworm gut, adopting a "piggyback-the-winner" strategy that promoted ARGs transduction through mutualistic host interactions. Nano-biochar induced the conversion of lysogenic to lytic phages in the earthworm gut, while concurrently reducing the abundance of lysogenic phages and their encoded auxiliary metabolic genes carried by ARB. This shift disrupted phage-host mutualism and inhibited ARGs transmission via a "phage shunting" mechanism. In vitro validation with batch culture experiments further confirmed that lysogenic phages increased transduction of ARGs in the earthworm gut, while nano-biochar reduced the spread of ARGs by enhancing lysis infectivity. Our study constructs a mechanistic framework linking nano-biochar induced shifts in phage lifestyles that suppress ARG spread, offering insights into phage-host coadaptation and resistance mitigation strategies in organic waste treatment ecosystems.202540838886
8159160.9954Quaternary Ammonium Salts: Insights into Synthesis and New Directions in Antibacterial Applications. The overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of a large number of antibiotic-resistant genes in bacteria, and increasing evidence indicates that a fungicide with an antibacterial mechanism different from that of antibiotics is needed. Quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) are a biparental substance with good antibacterial properties that kills bacteria through simple electrostatic adsorption and insertion into cell membranes/altering of cell membrane permeability. Therefore, the probability of bacteria developing drug resistance is greatly reduced. In this review, we focus on the synthesis and application of single-chain QASs, double-chain QASs, heterocyclic QASs, and gemini QASs (GQASs). Some possible structure-function relationships of QASs are also summarized. As such, we hope this review will provide insight for researchers to explore more applications of QASs in the field of antimicrobials with the aim of developing systems for clinical applications.202336748912
8492170.9953Promotion effects and mechanisms of molybdenum disulfide on the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in soil. The rapid development of nanotechnology has aroused considerable attentions toward understanding the effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) on the propagation of antibiotic resistance. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) is an extensively used ENM and poses potential risks associated with environmental exposure; nevertheless, the role of MoS(2) toward antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transfer remains largely unknown. Herein, it was discovered that MoS(2) nanosheets accelerated the horizontal transfer of RP4 plasmid across Escherichia coli in a dose-dependent manner (0.5-10 mg/L), with the maximum transfer frequency 2.07-fold higher than that of the control. Integration of physiological, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analyses demonstrated that SOS response in bacteria was activated by MoS(2) due to the elevation of oxidative damage, accompanied by cell membrane permeabilization. MoS(2) promoted bacterial adhesion and intercellular contact via stimulating the secretion of extracellular polysaccharides. The ATP levels were maximally increased by 305.7 % upon exposure to MoS(2), and the expression of plasmid transfer genes was up-regulated, contributing to the accelerated plasmid conjugation and increased ARG abundance in soil. Our findings highlight the roles of emerging ENMs (e.g., MoS(2)) in ARGs dissemination, which is significant for the safe applications and risk management of ENMs under the development scenarios of nanotechnology.202337062264
9092180.9953Antimicrobial and Antiviral Nanofibers Halt Co-Infection Spread via Nuclease-Mimicry and Photocatalysis. The escalating spread of drug-resistant bacteria and viruses is a grave concern for global health. Nucleic acids dominate the drug-resistance and transmission of pathogenic microbes. Here, imidazolium-type poly(ionic liquid)/porphyrin (PIL-P) based electrospun nanofibrous membrane and its cerium (IV) ion complex (PIL-P-Ce) are developed. The obtained PIL-P-Ce membrane exhibits high and stable efficiency in eradicating various microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) and decomposing microbial antibiotic resistance genes and viral nucleic acids under light. The nuclease-mimetic and photocatalytic mechanisms of the PIL-P-Ce are elucidated. Co-infection wound models in mice with methicillin-resistant S. aureus and hepatitis B virus demonstrate that PIL-P-Ce integrate the triple effects of cationic polymer, photocatalysis, and nuclease-mimetic activities. As revealed by proteomic analysis, PIL-P-Ce shows minimal phototoxicity to normal tissues. Hence, PIL-P-Ce has potential as a "green" wound dressing to curb the spread of drug-resistant bacteria and viruses in clinical settings.202438647392
8619190.9953Bioavailability of pollutants and chemotaxis. The exposure of bacteria to pollutants induces frequently chemoattraction or chemorepellent reactions. Recent research suggests that the capacity to degrade a toxic compound has co-evolved in some bacteria with the capacity to chemotactically react to it. There is an increasing amount of data which show that chemoattraction to biodegradable pollutants increases their bioavailability which translates into an enhancement of the biodegradation rate. Pollutant chemoreceptors so far identified are encoded on degradation or resistance plasmids. Genetic engineering of bacteria, such as the transfer of chemoreceptor genes, offers thus the possibility to optimize biodegradation processes.201322981870