An integrative approach toward biosensing and bioremediation of metals and metalloids

The contamination of harmful metals and metalloids has emerged as a major issue of concern with the industrial and agricultural progress and increase in human population in the last century. Natural biogeochemical activities are also responsible for increase in the level of elements. Metal(loid)s reach to humans either directly through contaminated drinking water or through the food when crop is cultivated in contaminated areas. Metal(loid)s have carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxicological properties and hence are a burden to body and the cause of a number of health problems. To combat the menace of metal(loid)s contamination, there is a need to not only precisely monitor their levels in the environment but also to remove them efficiently. In addition, these two basis processes require being a low-cost affair to be affordable for routine operation and for most of the areas and people. Biosensors and bioremediation are two important areas, which offer hope to achieve the goals by allowing sensing of metal(loid)s precisely and removing them at a low cost and in easily operable manner. The present article reviews progress of biosensor and bioremediation approaches and proposes prospective feasible strategies for future.