Grantee Research Project Results
Effect of Bioavailable Metal Concentration on Mechanisms of Metal Resistance
EPA Grant Number: U915385Title: Effect of Bioavailable Metal Concentration on Mechanisms of Metal Resistance
Investigators: Sandrin, Todd Ryan
Institution: University of Arizona
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: August 24, 1998 through January 1, 2001
Project Amount: $70,935
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1998) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Microbiology , Biology/Life Sciences , Academic Fellowships
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to develop a model system for the elucidation of mechanisms of metal resistance present at varying levels of bioavailable metal and the resulting impact of the activity of these mechanisms on biodegradation.
Approach:
A model system is being used to investigate two approaches to increase biodegradation in co-contaminated environments and involve: (1) reducing bioavailable levels of metal; and (2) inducing the activity of a highly effective metal resistance mechanism. To reduce bioavailable metal concentrations and thus mitigate the toxic effects of a metal (cadmium) on organic naphthalene biodegradation, a metal-complexing rhamnolipid biosurfactant is being investigated. In addition to its metal-complexing abilities, rhamnolipid exhibits additional properties that may prove integral to enhancing biodegradation in co-contaminated environments. Specifically, rhamnolipid has been shown to increase naphthalene bioavailability and to facilitate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) removal from the bacterial outer membrane, thus further mitigating the toxic effects of cadmium on naphthalene biodegradation. Various divalent cations are being examined for their ability to induce the activity of a highly effective metal resistance mechanism normally inactive at low, but toxic concentrations, of cadmium. The requisite properties of these divalent cations for induction of cadmium resistance will be investigated. Characterization of this resistance mechanism will rely on molecular techniques such as Tn5 mutagenesis.
Supplemental Keywords:
fellowship, co-contamination, biodegradation, metal toxicity, cadmium, naphthalene, rhamnolipid, lipopolysaccharide, LPS, mutogenesis, biosurfactant, metal resistance, bioavailable metal., Scientific Discipline, Waste, Toxics, National Recommended Water Quality, Remediation, Chemistry, HAPS, Environmental Chemistry, 33/50, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bioremediation, Environmental Engineering, Cadmium Compounds, cadmium, metal resistance mechanisms, cadmium & cadmium compounds, mechanisms of metal resistance, contaminated sites, metal resistance, efficiency of bioremediationProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.