Fields, Matthew
Professor, Microbiology and Immunology;
Director, Center for Biofilm Engineering;
Biofilm Physiology & Ecology Team Leader
Office: 366 Barnard Hall
Specialty: Environmental biofilms
E-mail: matthew.fields@montana.edu
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.
Current Projects
- SRB biofilms
- Methanogenic biofilms
- Heavy-metal bioreduction
- Algal biofuels
- Microbial community dynamics
For more information, please email Matthew Fields