Room 112, Choral Room
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jean Huang
Associate Professor of Biology, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
This presentation will discuss the genetic, biochemical and morphological diversity of environmental bacteria: the tiny majority.
Do creatures that can eat iron nails for lunch, are square-shaped, or thrive at over 200 degrees Fahrenheit sound like science fiction? These are, in fact, just some examples of the amazing microbial characters that live right here on earth! There is a vast, diverse world of microbes in the environment. The majority of these microbes do not cause us harm, but carry out a variety of biochemical reactions that enable the cycling of nutrients vital for the functioning the ecosystem. Other bacteria are important as symbionts in our gut providing vitamins and aiding our digestion. Through their metabolisms, bacteria also produce foods that we enjoy such as yogurt, cheese and sauerkraut. Yet other bacteria may someday help to efficiently turn materials such as corn husks into ethanol or hydrogen gas and play a vital role for our future. Studying the microbes can help us in solving environmental challenges from waste remediation to energy production.
For more information, contact Dr. Nirmal Singh: nsingh@massbay.edu
Please register at: https://environmentalbiology.eventbrite.com