VIMSS - Virtual Institute for Microbial Stress and Survival

Environmental Stress Pathway Project (ESPP2)
formerly known as Rapid Deduction of Stress Response Pathways in Metal/Radionuclide Reducing Bacteria


	Adam Arkin, co-Principal Investigator (LBNL, Physical Biosciences Division) and Terry Hazen, co-Principal Investigator (LBNL, Earth Sciences Division)

ESPP2 is developing computational models that describe and predict the behavior of gene regulatory networks in microbes in response to the environmental conditions found in DOE waste sites. The research takes place within the Virtual Institute for Microbial Stress and Survival (VIMSS).

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The Virtual Institute of 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.
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	De Profundis… We are fond of posting “Talmudic Questions,” questions we consider to be more interesting than their answers. The very first of them, dated December 1, 2006, reads as follows: Where on Earth would one expect to find a single species of microbes (a pure culture) for sustained periods of time? Symbioses (mutualistic or parasitic) do not count, neither do Petri dishes.” Read more here.
	One-of-a-kind Microorganism Lives All Alone beneath Earth's surface. The first ecosystem ever found having only a single biological species has been discovered 2.8 kilometers (1.74 miles) beneath the surface of the earth in the Mponeng gold mine near Johannesburg, South Africa. There the rod-shaped bacterium Desulforudis audaxviator exists in complete isolation, total darkness, a lack of oxygen, and 60-degree Celsius heat (140 degrees Fahrenheit). Read more here, or listen here
	2008 Synthetic Biology Innovation Awards A team of scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory won the Bronze for their work in developing the Phylochip. Read the Wall Street Journal article here.
	Coming Soon: Synthetic Biology, the Journal Adam Arkin, a computational biologist with Berkeley Lab’s Physical Biosciences Division, is the Editor-in-Chief of a new publication called Synthetic Biology. Berkeley Lab researchers are encouraged to submit research and review articles, perspectives, and “spec sheets.” Serving on Synthetic Biology’s inaugural editorial board are Berkeley Lab scientists Jay Keasling, Chris Somerville and David Schaffer. For more information, go here.
	Missed QUEST Episode? View Archived Version Anyone who was unable to view the episode of KQED’s QUEST science program that aired on Channel 9 this past Tuesday evening, which featured Physical Biosciences Division Director Jay Keasling, can go here to view an archived version. The episode, “Biofuels: Beyond Ethanol” looked at the Bay Area’s leadership in developing the next generation of green fuel alternatives.
	Jay Keasling on Meet the Scientists Merry Buckley of Meet the Scientists interviews Jay Keasling. Go here to read the interview.
	Hanford Demonstrates Bioimmobilization of Hexavalent Chromium in Ground Water - Terry Hazen The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating long-term efficacy of lactate-stimulated bioreduction to treat ground water contaminated with hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] at Hanford's "Site 100H" along the Columbia River in Washington. The study includes identification of critical microbial community-structure changes and stressors helping to control and predict biogeochemical processes causing Cr(VI) bioimmobilization. Polylactate in the form of Hydrogen Release Compound® (HRC) was injected into the ground water in 2004. Cr(VI) concentrations now are below the drinking water standard of 10 ppb due to transformation of Cr(VI) into insoluble Cr (III) complexes, which is largely affected by bioimmobilization stressors. Common stressors identified during the study include oxygen, nitrate, salt, and sulfate. Department. Read more at Technology News and Trends site
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