Exploring the Persistence of Transgenes in Genetically Engineered Cyanobacteria

Genetically engineered organisms including bacteria, plants, and animals are very commonplace in industry and scientific research where they are designed to perform specific tasks. Cyanobacteria are a group of ubiquitous and ancient microorganisms that have been engineered to produce a range of products such as biofuels. However, the potential ramifications of genetic engineering could have unintended consequences. One key question is how long do foreign genes persist? Thus, we undertook a two-year study that investigates the fate and stability of transgenes in genetically engineered Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP1. The results show transgenes are very persistent within the host genome and begin to become lost slowly over time.