Development, Use, and Benefits of Genetically Engineered Microbes

Microorganisms are nature’s cleaners.  They are perhaps the most important organisms on the planet.  Microbial theorists believe that bacteria are responsible for all life on earth.  This theory reveals that bacteria, specifically, cyanobacteria are the “architects of Earth,” because they are primary producers, producing oxygen, where life soon follows.  These bacteria are thought to be around 3.5 billion years old according to fossilized remains (Berkley, 1995).  

Berkley. (1995). Cyanobacteria [Photo].

Microorganisms are responsible for producing nitrogen and oxygen, they process and digest dead organisms, recycling the nutrients back into the environment.  The cycles of life require microorganisms to maintain and function, including the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles.  When denitrification occurs, it begins the delicate balance of organic compound breakdown and nitrogen production.

Madigan et al. (2012) Coupled Cycles

Together the carbon balances and coupled cycles are kept in a delicate cycle, until something like pollution or die-off disrupts the balance (Madigan et al., 2012).  In addition to the terrestrial realm, microorganisms are present in and on all living organisms.  Microorganisms clean dead skin cells, and aid in the digestion of food.  Gut microbes are responsible for the delicate balance of the digestive system.  Most microorganisms are not harmful to humans, however; when humans become sick from "bad" bacteria, scientists use good bacteria in the form of vaccines and antibiotics to help cure the overgrowth (Madigan, Martinko, Stahl, and Clark, 2012).

Microbes are rapidly becoming useful in industrial and commercial products, and with environmental cleanup.  The medical field has long used microbes for health and healing, including live bacteria like lactobacillus to regulate digestion.  The fascinating structure and function of microbes can be found here.

References:

Berkley. (1995). Cyanobacteria.  Retrieved from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/cyanointro.html

Berkley. (1995). Introduction to the Cyanobacteria . Retrieved
     from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/cyanointro.html

Madigan, M., Martinko, J.M., Stahl, D.A., and Clark, D. P. (2012). Brock Biology of
     Microorganisms (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New York: Pearson Education.

Madigan, M., Martinko, J.M., Stahl, D.A., and Clark, D.P. (2012). Coupled cycles [Photo]. Biology of
     Microorganisms. 701.