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Louisiana State University E235 Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803 office: 225-578-2469 fax: 225-578-2302
G
eomicrobiology E nvironmental M icrobiology S tudies 
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Geomicrobiology & Environmental Microbiology Studies Microorganisms control important geochemical and geological processes. We are investigating microorganisms in several different types of terrestrial habitats, including caves, groundwater, and hot springs, as well as microbes in symbiotic association with animals (insects and clams). One microbial group that we are especially interested in are chemolithoautotrophs because of their ability to scavenge nutrients from rocks and to harness chemical energy, as well as serving as the energetic base of many ecosystems. To understand and to quantify the roles that microbes may have played in shaping the Earth through time, our overall research goals are to understand how microorganisms have come to colonize so many different environments on Earth, how microorganisms have interacted with geological materials through time, and how and to what extent are biogeochemical cycles affected by microbial activities. |
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Creative students are
encouraged to apply
to work with Dr. Engel (information
link). Limited research undergraduate and graduate projects and assistantships are available
in the Depts. Geology & Geophysics
or Biological Sciences. The following
research topics are currently being investigated by the
Louisiana State University GEMS
group: 1) The molecular diversity, biogeography, and metabolic capabilities of Epsilonproteobacteria (Epsilonproteobacteria Project link); 2) Subsurface (cave and groundwater) microbial diversity and biogeography, and the geochemical and geologic consequences of subsurface microbes (Lower Kane Cave Research & Edwards Aquifer Project) 3) Hot spring geomicrobiology and adaptations to extreme environments (e.g., UV, arsenic, high temperature) (El Tatio Hot Spring Research link); 4) Microbial transformations in coupled carbon and sulfur nutrient cycles and the preservation of microbial carbon and sulfur signatures through geologic history (XANES project link); 5) Molecular diversity, biogeography, and biogeochemical contributions of bacterial symbiotic associations (Lucinid Endosymbiont Project link). |
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