In this review, we have discussed numerous TCRSs engineered in different prokaryotic species that can sense inorganic and organic pollutants, and examined the recent developments in cellular biosensors coupled with bioremediation. The TCRS-based biosensor coupled with bioremediation approach has the potential to advance even further using the recent developments in bioengineering in strain development. However, only a few studies on TCRS-based biosensors have been reported, and much effort is needed to obtain a complete picture of the TCRS-based control of downstream catabolic pathways. To achieve these goals, a thorough understanding of TCRS mechanisms is essential to engineer strains for use in efficient biosensor systems coupled with bio-degradation or bio-adsorption functionality. Moreover, more studies are required to extend its use in food, pharmaceutical and industrial biotechnology applications.