Molecular methods for direct detection of bacteria in aquatic environments-Dr. I. Knight

Our research is centered on the application of molecular biology to problems in microbial ecology and population biology and currently I work with both undergraduate and graduate students the on two projects. One of these projects will apply to the UMEB program. This work has an applied focus, that of determining the relationship between pathogenic potential of waterborne enteropathogens and genetically-based detection systems, but also has raised some basic questions regarding the survival strategies of enteropathogenic bacteria in natural environments. Currently we are investigating the potential for transoceanic cargo vessels to transport pathogenic microorganisms in their ballast water. This is a collaborative project with the University of Maryland , the University of Arizona , Northwestern University and the Northeast Midwest Institute. Much of the fieldwork is conducted on ships entering the Great Lakes and we are also involved in testing ballast water treatment measures to protect ballast-receiving environments