CRUI: Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry to Study Evolutionary, Ecological & Behavioral Interactions Between Birds & Feather-Degrading Bacteria & Environmental Appli

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Ohio Wesleyan faculty and students will study the microbial ecosystem within avian plumage emphasizing those bacteria that degrade feather keratin. Molecular genetics will be used to study the control of the degradation process and biochemistry to study structural adaptations of the enzyme that cleaves the keratin molecule. Microbiologically will study how the diverse microorganisms within the plumage interact with feather-degrading bacteria. Lastly, the faculty and students will study how birds regulate this complex, microbial ecosystem that threatens their feathers and their survival. The interrelated biochemical, molecular, genetic, microbial, ecological, and evolutionary questions necessitate multidisciplinary approach.Knowledge of the natural history of feather-degrading bacteria and their avian hosts, the genetic control of enzyme synthesis, and the biochemistry of degradation will enable the suggestion of environmentally safe methods of recovering small proteins and amino acids from waste feathers and efficient composting of dead poultry.Seventy-two undergraduates, including 37 freshmen, have designed, completed, and reported their own research as partner in the current project. Each summer eight students will be offered research fellowships and one research associate position for a secondary science teacher. There will be an offer of four academic-year mentorships annually, which will build a commitment to research as student teaches student.