We have recently moved to a to a brand new 1,100 ft2 laboratory at Venture 1 building, an Oklahoma State research facility that aims at fostering interdisciplinary research within the University scientific community.
Molecular Microbial Ecology, Environmental Genomics
We study the phylogenetic diversity, metabolic capabilities, and ecological roles of microorganisms in a variety of environments, with specific emphasis on anaerobic habitats and soil. The laboratory utilizes, develops, and evaluates a variety of procedures to achieve these goals. An integrative approach that combines large-scale, culture-independent phylogenetic surveys, environmental genomic (metagenomic) approaches, and isolation and characterization of novel microorganisms are all combined to study an ecosystem and/or a microbial group of interest. We are currently focusing our research on two ecosystems: An anaerobic, hydrocarbon-impacted sulfide and sulfur-rich spring in southwestern Oklahoma (Zodletone Spring), and tall grass prairie soil in central Oklahoma. Microbial groups of interest include several bacterial candidate phyla with no pure cultured representatives (Candidate phyla OD1, SR1, OP11, WW1, and TM7), genera of halophilic Archaea (Family Halobacteriaceae) that survives in low salt environments, and members of the heterotrophic Planctomycetes. Our work has been funded by the National Science Foundation microbial observatories and microbial interactions (MO/MI) program.
Investigating the role of anaerobic fungi in biofuel research
Conversion of cellulosic biomass to fuel requires effective degradation of plant polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose, and potentially lignin) to sugar monomers and eventually to biofuels such as ethanol, and biogas. We are initiating an effort to evaluate the potential of strict anaerobic Fungi (Phylum Neocallimastigomycota) as a source of plant polymers-degrading enzymes, as well as biological agents for direct conversion of energy crops and plant residues to ethanol and biogas. We are isolating members of the Neocallimastigomycota. from the rumen and feces of cows and other herbivores and evaluate the cellulase and hemicellulase enzyme activities in the strains isolated, as well as the ability to directly produce ethanol (in pure culture) and biogas (in co-culture with hydrogen and acetate-utilizing methanogens) from intact switch grass. The results should provide a solid evaluation of the potential of this yet-unexploited group of microorganisms in biofuel research. Our work in this are is currently funded by the Oklahoma Bioenergy fund.