Reprogramming bacteria to seek and destroy an herbicide

Here the Gallivan group discusses the selection of a synthetic riboswitch that turns on gene function in response to the herbicide atrazine.  Though the concentrations of the herbicide required to activate translation of the gene are high compared to what would be found in nature this is a good first step to solving a real-world problem with the use of riboswitches.  The gene used is able to metabolize the harmful herbicide into a non-toxic compound.