Environmental microbiology. biodegradation and bioremediation
Research in our laboratory focuses on the biodegradation
of environmental pollutants. especially halogenated aromatic compounds.
Our specific interests are in understanding (a) how microbes degrade toxic
chemicals. such as halogenated aromatic compounds. and (b) how microbial
communities can be stimulated to degrade soil. groundwater and sediment
contaminants. Our laboratory is examining the diversity of aerobic and anaerobic
processes in the degradation and transformation of environmental pollutants. including chlorinated and brominated aromatic compounds. chlorinated pesticides. PCBs and PAHs. Our research is seeking novel bioremediation strategies for
degradation of these compounds in soils and sediments. Our long term research
objectives involve examining the diverse catabolic activities of microbes
and how biotransformation and biodegradation affect the fate of anthropogenic
contaminants. A central objective in these studies is the physiological
characterization of the microorganisms involved in contaminant degradation
and transformation and the identification of degradation mechanisms and
pathways. The work in our laboratory is currently focusing on identification
of degradation mechanisms of halogenated aromatic compounds under different
redox conditions. including a biochemical and molecular characterization
of the degradation pathways. In addition. we are also examining the population
structure and dynamics of anaerobic dehalogenating communities. Another
area of interest is the characterization of rhizospheric bacteria involved
in biodegradation of organic contaminants and developing their use in bioremediation.
We are also exploring aspects of microbe-oligochaete interactions in biodegradation
of organic contaminants. The aims of these research projects are to provide
a basic understanding of the environmental fate of anthropogenic pollutants
as well as to serve as a base for developing novel bioremediation or biocatalytic
processes.
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