Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Microbial Biology for FY-2000

Valentine, David L, Irvine CA

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Microbial Biology for FY 2000. The research and training plan is in the area of Metabolic Biochemistry and is entitled "Experimental Studies of Hydrogen-producing Bacteria." Hydrogen is a key intermediate in anaerobic environments and is maintained at low concentration by microbial competition. This research uses a novel hydrogen-removal system to study the physiology and bioenergetics of obligately hydrogen-producing bacteria in pure culture. Studies focus on metabolism of important substrates, i.e., acetate, benzoate, amino acids, and glycolate. Enrichment and isolation procedures for anaerobic bacteria are also being developed. Hydrogen metabolism in bacteria is not well-understood but plays an important role in microbial diversity in the environment.