CAREER: Integrated Interdisciplinary Nanotechnology Research and Education on Fundamentals and Applications of Cell Entrapment for Water Pollution Control

捕获的细菌已用于包括废水处理在内的几种应用。包裹对细菌生理的影响，如生长速度、代谢活性和细胞形态，在食品技术、生物医学和制药应用中是已知的，而在废水处理应用中，对该主题知之甚少。本研究的几个目标之一是促进对废水处理中使用细胞包埋的基本理解。为了实现这一目标，首席研究员（PI）建议研究包埋对活性污泥中通常遇到的三种纯培养物的生长速度、代谢活性、细胞形态、细胞表面特性、遗传物质数量和应激的影响。分子生物学和纳米技术中的几种技术将被用来阐明包裹细胞的性能背后的原因。来自不同学科的知识和技术，分子生物学和纳米技术，将被用来解决研究问题。本研究将惠及多方：不同层次的研究人员、从业人员和学生。未被充分代表的美国印第安人是大学预科学生活动的目标群体。这个项目将产生广泛的影响，因为雨水污染不仅仅是美国的问题，而是全世界的问题。这个项目将促进PI和他所在院系以及他所在大学其他院系的教师之间的研究伙伴关系，以及海外研究生项目。

0449125KhanEntrapped bacteria have been used in several applications including wastewater treatment. Effects of entrapment on the bacterial physiology, such as growth rate, metabolic activity, and cell morphology, are known in food technology, biomedical, and pharmaceutical applications while in wastewater treatment applications very little is known on the topic. One of several goals of this research is to advance fundamental understanding on the use of cell entrapment in wastewater treatment. To achieve this goal, the principal investigator (PI) proposes to investigate the effects of entrapment on growth rate, metabolic activity, cell morphology, cell surface properties, genetic material quantity, and stress of three pure cultures typically encountered in activated sludge. Several techniques in molecular biology and nanotechnology will be used to elucidate what lies beneath the performance of entrapped cells. Knowledge and techniques from different disciplines, molecular biology and nanotechnology, will be used to solve the research problems. This research will benefit several parties: researchers, practitioners, and students at different levels. Underrepresented American Indians are the target group for activities for pre-college students. This project will have a broad impact because storm water pollution is not a problem only in the U.S. but throughout the world. This progran will promote research partnerships between the PI and faculty in his department and other departments at his university, and a graduate program overseas.