Han L.Z., 2024, Beyond traditional bioremediation: the potential of engineered SynComs in tackling complex environmental pollutants, Genomics and Applied Biology, 15(1): 54-64 (doi: 10.5376/gab.2024.15.0008)

Environmental pollution remains a critical global challenge, necessitating innovative and effective remediation strategies. Traditional bioremediation methods, while eco-friendly and socially acceptable, often fall short in addressing complex and recalcitrant pollutants. Recent advancements in systems biology and metabolic engineering have paved the way for the development of engineered synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) with enhanced bioremediation capabilities. This systematic review explores the potential of engineered SynComs in tackling complex environmental pollutants. By integrating systems biology approaches, we can analyze microbial behavior at a community level under various environmental stresses, providing crucial insights for metabolic engineering. Techniques such as recombinant DNA technology, gene editing tools, and the CRISPR-Cas system have been instrumental in constructing metabolically engineered microbial strains capable of degrading complex pollutants. Furthermore, the co-cultivation of multiple engineered microbial communities presents a promising avenue for the bioremediation of mixed and complex wastes. This review highlights the significant strides made in synthetic biology and multidisciplinary technologies, emphasizing their role in developing efficient and safe microbial scavengers for environmental recovery.