Case study 2: GRNs in bioremediation
Another example of the use of GRNs in microbial ecology is in
bioremediation, which involves the use of microorganisms to degrade
pollutants and other contaminants in the environment. One study used a
combination of experimental and computational methods to construct a GRN
of a microbial community involved in the biodegradation of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are a common type of environmental
contaminant. The resulting network identified key regulatory factors
involved in the biodegradation of PAHs, as well as potential
interactions between the PAH degradation pathway and other metabolic
pathways in the community (Alegbeleye et al., 2017).
Another study used transcriptomics and computational methods to
construct a GRN of a microbial community involved in the bioremediation
of chlorinated ethenes, which are a common type of groundwater
contaminant. The resulting network revealed a complex regulatory network
involving multiple transcription factors and signaling pathways
and identified key regulatory factors that could be targeted for the
optimization of bioremediation strategies (Karig, 2017). These studies
demonstrate the potential of GRNs in guiding the development of more
efficient and effective bioremediation strategies, by providing a
comprehensive picture of the regulatory mechanisms involved in pollutant
degradation in microbial communities. By understanding the complex
regulatory networks involved in bioremediation, researchers can identify
key regulatory factors that can be targeted to optimize bioremediation
strategies and improve environmental outcomes.