The physiology and ecology lab is interested in “environmental” organisms
and biofilms involved in a variety of processes that include nitrate
contamination, heavy metal reduction, metal corrosion, extremophiles, and
bio-energy. Our work is focused on the relationships between biotic and
abiotic factors that mediate control over physiology and modes of growth,
and how signals are sensed and cells respond accordingly in order to
optimize metabolism. We study both monocultures and indigenous microbial
communities to better understand the interrelationships between genomic
content and phenotype at different levels of resolution (i.e., DNA to
community), and how these attributes contribute to stress and survival of
biological cells.
On-going projects include field work at the
Field Research Center
in Oak Ridge, TN. We are also part of the
Virtual Institute for Microbial
Stress and Survival. VIMSS supports an integrated program to understand the ability of bacteria
and other microorganisms to respond to and survive external stresses.
Representative Publications
Laboratory Members
Current Projects
For more information, email
Matthew Fields
28 July, 2008
