Plant Microorganisms

This case study was produced by the NCSU Genetic Engineering and Society Center

The expert Delphi study was funded by the Sloan Foundation.

What are the potential risks and issues we need to consider regarding engineered plant microbes?

Engineered nitrogen fixing bateria have been evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency in the past for environmental release.

The EPA considered bacteria growth, survival and persistence outside of desired zones and impacts on non-target organisms that come into contact with the engineered bacteria.

Because the non-engineered bacteria species are already present in the environment and are not human pathogens, the risks should be minimal.

The expert group that we consulted with in our project also thought this to be the case, and that the benefits of reduced fertilizer would likely justify any minimal risks.

However, they did note that the technology will need to be deployed carefully from a political and economic standpoint, as the public does not trust large agricultural companies involved in the history of genetically engineered food crops. Control and ownership of the technology were of concern given the potential societal and environmental benefits.

References and Resources

Refactoring the nitrogen fixation gene cluster from Klebsiella oxytoca

http://www.pnas.org/content/109/18/7085.abstract?tab=author-info

Plant-Microbe Interactions

http://www.nature.com/nature/focus/plantmicrobes/

Monsanto acquires Select Assets of Agradis, Inc. to Support Work in Agricultural Biologicals

http://news.monsanto.com/press-release/corporate/monsanto-acquires-select-assets-agradis-inc-support-work-agricultural-biolog

The second wave of synthetic biology: from modules to systems

http://www.nature.com/nrm/journal/v10/n6/abs/nrm2698.html

What are current projects focusing on?

Current projects are focusing on corn and rice applcations which present multi-billion dollar markets worldwide.

ENGINEERED PLANT MICROORGANISMS

What benefits will the engineered microorganisms have on the environment?

The use of chemical fertilizers is polluting waterways, including the Mississippi River and delta. Engineered, nitrogen-fixing bacteria that grow on any type of plant could reduce the need for soil fertilizers.

Some scientists and technologists propose to employ synthetic biology applications to engineer plant microorganisms with desired characteristics.

In this presentation you will learn why there is a need for engineered plant microorganisms, what role the microorganisms have in crop production, how they can benefit the environment, and more.

Why is there a need for engineered plant microorganisms?

Increasing populations are leading to greater need for new and improved food crops. The challenge is how to meet these needs in an environmentally sustainable way. Some scientists and technologists are turning to engineered microorganisms as a possible avenue for improving large-scale agriculture.

Plant microbes that fix nitrogen could be engineered to attach and thrive on crops that typically do not fix nitrogen, such as rice or corn, and supply nitrogen to plants that usually need nitrogen-containing fertilizer.

What are scientists trying to achieve in manipulating genes in agricultural plants or soil bacteria?

A key aspect of the research is to help plants naturally obtain nitrogen from soil with symbiotic bacteria. This reduces the need for nitrogen-containing fertilizer which presents tremendous environmental benefits.

What relevant research is being done on this subject?

A group of scientists has developed a systematic approach to genetically manipulating gene clusters with synthetic, well-characterized genetic and biochemical parts. They applied this approach to an agriculturally relevant gene cluster, encoding the nitrogen fixation pathway from bacteria for converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia.

Zhao, D., Temme, K., & Voight, C. (2012). Refactoring the nitrogen fixation gene cluster from Klebsiella oxytoca. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(18), 7085–7090.