MICROBIAL RESPIRATION OF URANIUM & CHROMIUM

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 这项研究的目标是确定细菌呼吸铀和铬的机制。在这项工作中，我们重点研究了三种细菌，两种希瓦氏菌和一种脱硫菌，它们能够呼吸或减少这两种金属。利用先进的显微技术和分子技术相结合，我们希望能够识别参与这一过程的基因和蛋白质。用透射电子显微镜、电子能谱和电子能谱来确定金属在细胞内的定位和氧化状态，这可能为深入了解相关机制提供帮助。具体地说，它将有助于确定细胞内还原活动的位置。 这项工作的实际应用是为了提高生物修复策略设计的知识基础。还原的铀和铬是不溶的，比它们的氧化对应物毒性更小。通过促进地下水环境的减少，有毒金属被固定，不太可能影响下游的饮用水或地表水。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The goal of this study is to identify the mechanism by which bacteria respire uranium and chromium. For this work, we are focusing on three strains of bacteria, two Shewanella and a Desulfotomaculum, able to respire or reduce both metals. Using advanced microscopic techniques combined with molecular techniques, we hope to identify the genes and proteins involved in the process. TEM, EFTEM and EELS are used to identify the localization and the oxidation state of the metals within the cell which could provide insight into the mechanism involved. Specifically, it will help identify the location of the reduction activity within the cell. The practical application of this work is to improve the knowledge basis for the design of bioremediation strategies. Reduced U and Cr are insoluble and less toxic than their oxidized counterparts. By promoting reduction in a groundwater environment, the toxic metals are immobilized and are less likely to affect drinking or surface water downstream.