The Use of Microbes in the Processing of Radionuclides
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract
The process of bioremediation, using microbes (altered or otherwise) to clean up toxic industrial products or pollutants, is already used for processing of plastics, heavy metals or even radioactive waste. It is known that some microbes can convert soluble radionuclides into insoluble radionuclides, such as the reduction of hexavalent uranium to tetravalent uranium by Desulfosporosinus spp. This ability to convert one into another could be useful in cleaning up the waste and pollution from nuclear incidents, like last year’s Fukushima disaster. If the genes for these radionuclide-reducing enzymes along with the genes necessary for radiation resistance could be isolated, they could be introduced into another appropriate microbe to create a bacteria specialized for a certain environment. These microbes could also potentially be used to clean up radionuclides other than uranium.
Biography
Larry is a senior in Biological Sciences. After graduation he plans to pursue graduate school. In his spare time he enjoys playing baseball and bird watching.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Use of Microbes in the Processing of Radionuclides
Upper Atrium/Hallway
The process of bioremediation, using microbes (altered or otherwise) to clean up toxic industrial products or pollutants, is already used for processing of plastics, heavy metals or even radioactive waste. It is known that some microbes can convert soluble radionuclides into insoluble radionuclides, such as the reduction of hexavalent uranium to tetravalent uranium by Desulfosporosinus spp. This ability to convert one into another could be useful in cleaning up the waste and pollution from nuclear incidents, like last year’s Fukushima disaster. If the genes for these radionuclide-reducing enzymes along with the genes necessary for radiation resistance could be isolated, they could be introduced into another appropriate microbe to create a bacteria specialized for a certain environment. These microbes could also potentially be used to clean up radionuclides other than uranium.
