The Feedstock Generators
Microbial Biochemist
Faculty: Michael Allen, Stevens Brumbley
Allen will work together with the new hires in green chemistry and biotechnology (scale up to engineering needs). Dr. Allen’s work in this area began with the isolation and characterization of novel polysaccharides isolated from bacteria grown on industrial wastewater. One, polysaccharide, thaueran, sequesters heavy metals and is being pursued as an agent for removing contaminants from industrial effluents. Ayre will work with the chemist and biotechnologist to develop methods for accessing and/or releasing fibers from complex plant materials, assist in the identification of microorganisms impacting plant growth, and the development of enzymatic methods for chemically altering monomers and oligomers to enhance or modify chemical properties.