NSF Young Investigator

这个实验室的研究涉及代谢外来化合物，特别是芳香烃的微生物。通过不同的富集化培养技术，将分离出具有不同降解不同芳香烃能力的新微生物菌株。重点是获得能够降解广泛相关化合物的新菌株。降解芳香烃的代谢途径(S)将通过标准的生化分析和分析技术来确定。将分离和鉴定具有不同功能的独特的酶。参与该途径的基因将被克隆和测序。将利用定点突变来探索酶结构/功能的分子基础。代谢途径各个步骤的调控机制将在分子水平上进行分析。将构建新的重组菌株，涉及来自不同来源的多个基因。这些基因构建的菌株的目标是尽可能广泛和尽可能有效地代谢各种化合物。目前，该实验室主要研究多环芳烃、邻苯二甲酸酯和邻苯二甲酸酯，以及取代苯(氯苯、甲苯和硝基苯)。%这个芳香烃降解项目对去除有毒废物具有重要的环境意义。了解这些化合物降解的复杂代谢途径将有助于提高生物降解性。

Research in this laboratory deals with microorganisms that metabolize xenobiotic compounds, especially aromatic hydrocarbons. New microbial strains that have diverse capability in terms of their ability to degrade different aromatic hydrocarbons will be isolated by various enrichment culture techniques. Emphasis is on obtaining novel strains that have the ability to degrade a wide range of related compounds. The metabolic pathway(s) by which the aromatic hydrocarbon is degraded will be determined by standard biochemical assays and analytical techniques. Unique enzymes showing varied capability will be isolated and characterized. The genes involved in the pathway will be cloned and sequence. Site- directed mutagenesis will be utilized to explore the molecular basis for enzyme structure/function. The regulatory control mechanisms for the various steps of the metabolic pathway will be analyzed at the molecular level. New recombinant strains will be constructed that involve multiple genes from various sources. The goal of these genetically constructed strains is to metabolize as wide a range of compounds as possible and as efficiently as possible. Currently the laboratory is focusing on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalate and phthalate esters, and substituted benzenes (chlorobenzene, toluene, and nitrobenzene). %%% This project on aromatic hydrocarbon degradation is environmentally important in toxic waste removal. Understanding of the complex metabolic pathway for degradation of these compounds will aid in improving biodegradability.