Novel mechanisms of bacterial arsenic metabolism - arsenate reduction and arsenite oxidation [ 2002-01-01 - 2004-12-31 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Joanne Santini (Postdoctoral Fellow)

Brief description Novel mechanisms of bacterial arsenic metabolism - arsenate reduction and arsenite oxidation. Novel arsenic metabolising bacteria (i.e., arsenate respiring and arsenite oxidising), which are both phylogenetically and physiologically unique, have been isolated from arsenic-contaminated areas in Australia. The arsenate respiring bacterium, Chrysiogenes arsenatis, is of particular interest as it is the only organism reported able to respire with arsenate using the respiratory substrate acetate as the electron donor. It is proposed that physiological, biochemical and molecular biological studies be carried out to better understand the mechanisms by which these organisms metabolise arsenic. The knowledge gained from these studies will have worldwide application in the development of an arsenic bioremediation system.

Funding Amount $217,000

Funding Scheme Discovery Projects

View this grant in the ARC Data Portal