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Environmental biotechnology

From passive defense to proactive detoxification: transformative strategies in mercury bioremediation

Recent advancements in mercury bioremediation highlight the potential of engineered organisms to transform toxic mercury into less harmful forms. Two pioneering studies demonstrate the ability of genetically modified animals and bacteria to mitigate mercury toxicity. However, these approaches face challenges, including intracellular toxicity and limited bioconversion efficiency.

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Fig. 1: Shifting the mercury biotransformation battlefield from intracellular to extracellular spaces.

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Correspondence to Chang-ye Hui.

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Guo, Y., Hui, Cy. From passive defense to proactive detoxification: transformative strategies in mercury bioremediation. Lab Anim (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-025-01632-2

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