CRUI: Keratinase-Producing Microflora from Feathers

本项目为本科院校合作研究项目，涉及动物学、微生物学、物理学和化学。在野生鸟类身上发现了一种能产生角化酶的细菌，这种酶能降解羽毛。该项目研究了细菌的微生物生态，包括与羽毛上其他微生物的相互作用，确定了羽毛降解的定量速率，并比较了来自不同菌株的角化酶的分子结构和特异性。该项目还探索了这种酶在农业、环境和工业上的潜在应用。角蛋白是一种坚硬的结构蛋白，存在于羽毛和头发中。角蛋白消化酶不仅可以用于处理家禽业的羽毛废物，而且可以用于增加羽毛粉的商业动物食品产量。来自鸟类细菌的角化酶可以选择性地降解羽毛，但不会损坏毛发和羊毛，这使它成为一种有吸引力的酶清洁剂模型，它可以清洁但不会损坏羊毛制品。这项工作对包括生态学、微生物学、动物学和化学在内的一系列领域都有潜在的影响，并有望为本科生提供一种新的跨学科体验，让他们在基础和应用方面进行有趣的研究。

This project is for Collaborative Research at Undergraduate Institutions, involving zoology, microbiology, physics, and chemistry. There are strains of bacteria found in wild birds that produce an enzyme called keratinase, which degrades feathers. This project investigates the microbial ecology of the bacteria, including the interactions with other microbes that occur on the feathers, determines quantitative rates of feather degradation, and compares the molecular structures and specificity of keratinases from different bacterial strains. The project also explores potential agricultural, environmental, and industrial applications for the enzyme. Keratin is a tough structural protein found in feathers and hair. A keratin-digesting enzyme could be used not only to help dispose of the feather waste from the poultry industry, but could be used to increase production of commercial animal food from feather meal. The keratinase from bird bacteria selectively degrades feathers, but leaves hair and wool intact, making it an attractive model for an enzymatic cleaner that could clean but not damage woolen products. This work has a potential impact on a range of fields including ecology, microbiology, zoology, and chemistry, and promises a novel cross-disciplinary experience involving undergraduates in interesting research with both basic and applied aspects.