MICROBIAL RESPIRATION OF URANIUM & CHROMIUM

这个子项目是许多利用 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 本研究的目的是确定细菌呼吸铀和铬的机制。 在这项工作中，我们专注于三种细菌菌株，两种希瓦氏菌和一种脱硫肠状菌，它们能够呼吸或还原两种金属。利用先进的显微技术和分子技术相结合，我们希望能够鉴定出参与这一过程的基因和蛋白质。 TEM，EFTEM和EELS用于确定电池内金属的定位和氧化态，这可以提供对所涉及机制的深入了解。具体来说，它将有助于确定细胞内还原活性的位置。 这项工作的实际应用是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，比氧化的铀和铬毒性小。通过促进地下水环境中的还原，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.