Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics

FeSEM image of Enterococcus faecalis adhered to an AFM cantilever

Influence of bacteria in geochemical environments; role of adhered and planktonic bacteria in remediation; aqueous chemistry controls of bacterial adhesion; fate and transport of toxic metals; colloidal stability in aqueous and non-aqueous solution.

My research investigates the role of bacteria in geochemical systems. Specifically, I am interested in aqueous conditions that affect bacterial adhesion to mineral surfaces and how these interactions lead to increased or decreased contaminant mobility. I use Atomic Force Microscopy to investigate how changing aqueous conditions affect the adhesion of bacteria and other colloids to mineral surfaces.

Atomic Force Microscopy

Neal, A.L. Bank, T.L , Hochella, M.F., and Rosso, K.M. (2005) Cell adhesion of Shewanella oneidensis to iron oxide minerals: effect of different single crystal faces. Geochemical Transactions, v. 6, p. 77-84.

Cail, T.L . and Hochella, M.F., Jr. (2005) The Effects of Solution Chemistry on the Sticking Efficiencies of Viable Enterococcus faecalis: An Atomic Force Microscopy and Modeling Study. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 69, p. 2959-2969.

Cail, T.L . and Hochella, M.F., Jr. (2005) Experimentally Derived Sticking Efficiencies of Microparticles Using Atomic Force Microscopy. Environmental Science and Technology, v.39, p. 1011-1017.