Suicidal genetic elements and their use in biological containment of bacteria

Søren Molin, Lars Boe, L B Jensen, C S Kristensen, M Givskov, J L Ramos, A K Bej

97 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The potential risks of unintentional releases of genetically modified organisms, and the lack of predictable behavior of these in the environment, are the subject of considerable concern. This concern is accentuated in connection with the next phase of gene technology comprising deliberate releases. The possibilities of reducing such potential risks and increasing the predictability of the organisms are discussed for genetically engineered bacteria. Different approaches towards designing disabled strains without seriously reducing their beneficial effects are presented. Principally two types of strain design are discussed: actively contained bacteria based on the introduction of controlled suicide systems, and passively contained strains based on genetic interference with their survival under environmental-stress conditions.
Original languageEnglish
JournalAnnual Review of Microbiology
Volume47
Pages (from-to)139-66
Number of pages28
ISSN0066-4227
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1993
Externally publishedYes

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