Team:Duke/project/
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<p>Because bacteria such as <i>E. coli</i> and other bacteria have been engineered to process these compounds (Kadiyala et al., 2003) we assume that these bacteria already have a method of transporting these compounds within the cytoplasm. Furthermore, <i>E. coli</i> produces nitroreductase, an enzyme, present in many strains of bacteria, reduces the nitro group and is active in numerous metabolic pathways. In our project, we will attempt to engineer this enzyme so that it will bind irreversibly to the nitro groups of common nitroaromatic pollutants such as TNT and RDX. We will attempt to model this bond after the bond between carbon monoxide and hemoglobin.</p> | <p>Because bacteria such as <i>E. coli</i> and other bacteria have been engineered to process these compounds (Kadiyala et al., 2003) we assume that these bacteria already have a method of transporting these compounds within the cytoplasm. Furthermore, <i>E. coli</i> produces nitroreductase, an enzyme, present in many strains of bacteria, reduces the nitro group and is active in numerous metabolic pathways. In our project, we will attempt to engineer this enzyme so that it will bind irreversibly to the nitro groups of common nitroaromatic pollutants such as TNT and RDX. We will attempt to model this bond after the bond between carbon monoxide and hemoglobin.</p> | ||
- | <p>After binding, the nitroaromatic compounds are then stored within the membrane of these bacteria. The removal of bacteria will be the subject of | + | <p>After binding, the nitroaromatic compounds are then stored within the membrane of these bacteria. The removal of bacteria will be the subject of future research.</p> |
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Revision as of 22:04, 30 June 2008
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