Microbiology

What is it?

Coming soon!

DUSEL Focus

Bio-prospecting
"Bioprospecting is the search for useful organic compounds in nature, commonly involving the collection and examination of biological samples (plants, animals, microoganisms) for sources of genetic or biochemical resources" ².

Extreme Life Forms
According to the Merriam-Webster online Dictionary, an extremophile is an organism that lives under extreme environmental conditions (as in a hot spring or ice cap).

Geomicrobiology
Geomicrobiologists study the activities of microorganisms that live beneath the surface of the earth; the microorganisms used in this field of study are usually bacteria. The geomicrobiology field can also be referred to a biogeochemistry and subsurface microbiology. The microorganisms studied in these fields have adapted to live without oxygen and light. The importance of geomicrobiology increased in the 1970’s and 1980’s, as groundwater contamination became a concern to scientists. Geomicrobiology continues to grow in importance, and the need for new techniques in this field has brought together microbiologists, geologists, hydrologists, geochemists, and environmental engineers. The field of geomicrobiology will continue to grow in importance as the number of microbes on the planet becomes better known.¹

Experiments at DUSEL

Who's Doing It?

Dr. Cynthia Anderson

Dr. Cynthia Anderson

Dr. Anderson received her PhD in plant sciences and pathology as well as fungal molecular genetics from Montana State University. She has completed post-doctoral work in molecular genetics at Black Hills State University. Dr. Anderson states that her research interests are related to organisms and how they respond to pathogens and the environment at a genetic level. She is the Associate Director of the Center for the Conservation of Biological Resources at Black Hills State University and, in that capacity, oversees a number of research projects. Two of those projects are related to understanding the effect of atmospheric particulate matter on human health. She is currently developing a project that will study the alteration of gene expression of species of members of the Brassicaceae, which includes the mustard or cabbage family. You can see a list of Dr. Anderson's publications here.

Dr. Sookie Bang

Dr. Sookie Bang
Dr. Sookie Bang is professor of biology at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Dr. Bang received her PHd from the University of California at Davis in 1981. Dr. Bang has been the principal investigator in a number of research projects including electromagnetic research on mammary gland tumors (1988-1997). Other research by Dr. Bang includes:

• Study of the environmental impact of the highway deicer (1989, 1996)
• Development of heavy metal microbial biosorbents (1995-1999)
• Ex-situ bioremediation of petroleum contaminants (1994, 1997-1999)
• Microbiologically-enhanced crack remediation (MECR) (1994-2007)

Dr. Bang has been active in the publication of a number of journal articles and conference papers. The following link will provide a list of those publications: A list of this publications can be seen on Dr. Bang’s website at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (PDF file).

Research Questions

• How does subsurface microbial life evolve underground?
• Did life on Earth originate beneath the surface?
• Is there life underground as we don't know it?
• How do biology and geology interact to shape the underground world?

Further Reading

Media

External Links

Bibliography

1. Hoyle, Brian. "Geomicrobiology." The Gale Encyclopedia of Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Vol. 3. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 1803-1804. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. 5 Nov. 2009. Access this article on the Gale Virtual Reference Library via the Rapid City Public Library. Document number CX3418501021.

2. Beal, Heather. "Yellowstone Bioprospecting." Microbial Life: Educational Resources. Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College.