Seminars & Events

Biosciences Division Workshop
"Challenges in Environmental Molecular Microbiology Workshop"

DATE: April 26, 2010 to April 27, 2010
TIME: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION: TBA, Argonne National Laboratory

Description:
Molecular biology has revolutionized the study of microorganisms in the environment and improved our understanding of the composition, phylogeny, and physiology of microbial communities. The current molecular toolbox encompasses a range of DNA-based technologies and new methods for the study of RNA, proteins, and lipids extracted from environmental samples. Currently there is a major emphasis on the application of "omics" approaches to determine the identities and functions of microbes inhabiting different environments, which when combined with traditional molecular approaches and microbial physiology, biochemistry, and physical/chemical characterization of the environment, provides new opportunities for fundamental discoveries in microbial ecology.

This workshop will bring together researchers in the central Great Lakes region to discuss the latest advances in environmental molecular microbiology and microbial ecology and their potential for providing new insight into fundamental processes involved the biogeochemical cycling of major and minor elements, contaminant fate and transport, and climate change. Keynote addresses will be given by Dionysios Antonopoulos of Argonne National Laboratory/University of Chicago, and by Terence Marsh of Michigan State University. A combination of oral presentations and poster sessions will afford maximum opportunities for discussion of the latest advances in environmental molecular microbiology and identifying opportunities for collaboration. Tours will be offered for those interested in visiting the High-Throughput Genome Analysis Core, High-throughput Protein Production, and Protein Mapping facilities, as well as macromolecular crystallography (GM/CA CAT and the Structural Biology Center), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (MRCAT/EnviroCAT), and X-ray imaging capabilities (XOR) at the Advanced Photon Source.

More Information:
Postdocs and graduate students are encouraged to attend.

Registration is free, however the registration form (and for non-US citizens, the ANL-593 form Part 1) needs to be submitted to Gina Locasto at glocasto@.anl.gov by April 5, 2010.

Please feel free to share this invitation with others in the central Great Lakes region who may be interested in attending.

Workshop Organizing Committee: Edward O'Loughlin, Gyorgy Babnigg, Jennifer Brulc, Frank Collart, Kristene Henne, Sarah O’Brien
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