In Eastern Europe, for example, scientists have developed methods of bioremediation which reduce heavy metal pollution. Bacteria are used to take metals such as copper, zinc, cadmium and arsenic out of the soil. Once this happens, the metals do not leach from the contaminated site into the groundwater. The role of microbes in biotechnology is much broader than has been discussed here, and new uses are continually being discovered. Without microbes, biotechnology would not be as advanced as it is, nor would it include such a broad range of applications.
Microbes are a fundamental element of biotechnology.
Special thanks to Dr. George Khachatourians, of the Department of Applied Microbiology and Food Science, University of Saskatchewan, for his help in preparing this issue of Infosource.