U.S.-Australia Cooperative Research: Use of Genetically Engineered Microbial Enzymes in Calcite Precipitation

0002608Bang该提案项目涉及从分子基础上研究微生物沉淀方解石的基本原理。它将涉及南达科他州拉皮特城矿业与技术学院的生化微生物学家S.S.Bang博士和土木工程师V.Ramakrishnan博士与澳大利亚珀斯科廷理工大学的分子微生物学家J.R.Warmington博士和土木工程师B.V.Rangan博士的密切合作。研究目标包括1)利用基因工程微生物(GEMS)对方解石沉淀中的尿素酶进行生化和分子研究，2)在方解石沉淀中使用固定化尿素酶和包括宝石在内的整个细胞，3)生物修复技术在基层和底基层加固中的应用，以及对不同构造层裂缝的修复。实验步骤将以协调的方式进行，以弥补每个校区的弱点和优势。SDSM&amp；T团队在微生物矿化和生物化学方面有专长，而澳大利亚团队在分子微生物学方面有专长。这一拟议的国际合作将使澳大利亚和美国能够。合并后的项目将导致SDSM&amp；T和澳大利亚研究团队的互补技能的加入，交换学生不仅是为了鼓励他们参与研究，也是为了培训他们的实验室研究技能。这些互补专业领域的结合将促进微生物矿化技术的进一步发展和应用，以造福于两国的未来。

0002608BangThe proposal project deals with investigation of the fundamentals of microbiological calcite precipitation at the molecular basis. It will involve a close collaboration between Dr. S.S. Bang, Biochemical Microbiologist, and Dr. V. Ramakrishnan, Civil Engineer, at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD and Dr. J.R. Warmington, Molecular Microbiologist, and Dr. B.V. Rangan, Civil Engineer, at the Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia.The research objectives include 1) biochemical and molecular investigation of urease in calcite precipitation utilizing genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs), 2) use of immobilized urease and whole cells including GEMs in calcite precipitation, and 3) application of bioremediation technology in in-base and sub-base stabilization as well as remediation of cracks and fissures in various structural formations. Experimental steps will be carried in a coordinated manner to compensate the weaknesses and to complement the strength of each campus.The SDSM&T team has expertise in microbial mineralization and biochemistry, whereas the Australian team has expertise in molecular microbiology. This proposed international collaboration would enable the Australia and the USA. The combined project will result in joining of the complementary skills of the SDSM&T and Australian research teams, exchanging students not only to encourage their participation in the research and but also to train their laboratory research techniques. Combination of these complementary areas of expertise will promote further development and application of the microbial mineralization technology to the future benefits of both countries.