Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Microbial Biology for FY 2000

Haddad, Sandra, Athens GA

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Microbial Biology for 2000. The research and training plan is in the area of Metabolic Biochemistry and is entitled "Integrated Studies of Biodegradation in Rhodococcus and Acinetobacter". This research studies aerobic biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons in Rhodococcus sp. strain 19070 and Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1 and may facilitate the development of effective bioremediation strategies. Rhodococcus is an environmentally important microorganism but is difficult to study because genetic techniques are not well developed for it; however, Acinetobacter can be used to overcome this difficulty. Since the first step in environmental degradation of many pollutants is the cleavage of a benzene ring, the primary focus of this research is the purification and characterization of the enzyme benzoate dioxygenase from Rhodococcus. The biodegradative pathway is being elucidated using mutants and complementation studies.