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 Biogeochemical Cycling of Mercury in the Environment
A. Russell Flegal, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
The Flegal lab investigates biogeochemical cycling of trace metals in the environment. One of the lab's current research project involves examination of the transport, fate, and cycling of mercury, a potent neurotoxin to both aquatic life and humans. The results of this research and other similar studies will play an important role in assessing programs designed to mitigate the impact of such trace elements on human health and the environment. [More] |
 The Role of Microbes in Arsenic-Contamination of Drinking Water
Chad Saltikov Dept. of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
By converting the chemical form of arsenic found in the soil, naturally occurring microbes have been shown to exacerbate arsenic contamination of ground water, resulting in serious health crises in Asia and Latin America. Professor Chad Saltikov investigates the molecular biology of these microbial processes. Data from his laboratory will help devise strategies that can be used to ameliorate contamination of drinking water.
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Organismal Responses and Therapeutic Treatment of Toxins
Don Smith, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
It is becoming clear that exposures to environmental toxins, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can cause or contribute to the development of diseases in humans. For example, some neurobehavioral and neurodegenerative disorders, such as learning deficits and Parkinsonism have been linked to elevated lead and manganese exposures in children and manganese exposures in adults, respectively. The Smith lab explores basic mechanisms underlying how toxic metal exposures contributes to cellular effects and disease. [More]
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 Ex-vivo Survival Mechanisms Used by Vibrio cholerae between Epidemics
Fitnat Yildiz, Dept. of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
Ex-vivo Survival Mechanisms used by Vibrio cholerae between Epidemics: Fitnat Yildiz's laboratory investigates signaling and regulatory networks of Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the Asiatic cholera. She and her colleagues are particularly interested in those mechanisms that allow the pathogen to adapt to changes in its habitat. The bacteria's ability to survive in different growth modes in aquatic environments is closely linked to seasonal epidemics of cholera. Yildiz's laboratory is attempting to identify and characterize genes and processes associated with phase variations of the pathogen. Their results will be useful for prediction and control of epidemics of this devastating disease. [More]
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