NASA Astrobiology
Biogeocatalysis

Biological Hydrogen Production

The Role of MgATP in
Nitrogenase Catalysis

Hydrogen Metabolism and
Nitrogen Fixation in Thermal
Environments

Biomimetic Systems for Light
Driven Hydrogen Production

Novel Enzymatic Carboxylation
Reactions

Mercury Tolerance in Thermal
Environments

Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry MSU

NASA Astrobiology Institute

Air Force Office of Scientific
Research

Office of Naval Research

US Department of Energy

National Institutes of Health

Thermal Biology Institute

Center for Bio-inspired Nano
materials

Contact Us

P.O. Box 173400

Bozeman, MT 59717

Ph: 406 994 7211

Fax: 406 994 7212

john.peters@chemistry.montana.edu

Bridger Bowl Snow Report

Big Sky Snow Report

Moonlight Basin Snow Report

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Jesse Beau Therien

Graduate Student

jesse_therien@hotmail.com

 

 

Current Research

Like Poseidon, I can be reffered to as a merman. Currently I am looking at the mechanism of mercury detoxification in a member of the archaea. This system has been studied for decades, but mostly in the bacterial host. So, as part of the Thermal Biology Institute, we decided to look at this same system from Sulfolobus solfataricus, an acidiphilic thermophile found in the harsh conditions of hot springs including some in Yellowstone National Park. To do this, I am attempting to purify and characterize mercuric reductase (MerA) with the ultimate goal of obtaining crystals that diffract. To complement this, growth of mercury challenged cells is being looked at in conjunction with the related initial stress response. Some small challenges are encountered due to the long growth times, growth temperatures of 80C, and the fact that toxic mercury is being used. Thank you for you time. Jesse Therien.

 

 

Paragliding and Hockey

 

 

Hydrogen photoproduction by immobilized Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells

C. reinhardtii

It has been shown that the algae C. reinhardtii can produce hydrogen during the dark phase when photosynthesis shuts down and anaerobicity is acheived. Alternatively, the use of sulfur deprivation in the media to obtain anaerobic conditions can also be employed and allows for sustained hydrogen production during continuous exposure to light. Sulfur deprivation partially inactivates photosystem II (PSII), responsible for oxygen evolution, which would otherwise block induction of hydrogenase and irreversibly inhibit any hydrogenase activity that might already be present from a previous anaerobic state. By immobilizing the cells, the transition from sulfur-containing to sulfur-deprived media is greatly simplified. We are currently looking at a method of immobilization that may allow for improved and more efficient hydrogen production by C. reinhardtii. Bioreactor design using this and other types of immobilization is another ongoing project aimed at obtaining continuous hydrogen production from C. reinhardtii using a natural light/dark cycle that would be necessary when upscaling is considered.

 

A few youtube videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9vniN54Aok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zncjxMy8uRc

 

An alternative use for algae is in the sequestration of industrial exhaust gases. The algae can sequester the carbon and nitrogen gases as seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnOSnJJSP5c

 

These algae cells can then be used as bio-deisel as seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvb53l_Nfys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxTICY_7KRQ

 

Our current bioreactors at MSU:

 

Below, see three 1L bio-reactors filled with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for the production of hydrogen. Under continuous lighting and sulfur deprivation, this algae is able to produce H2 gas which is collected by an inverted graduated cylinder for quantification. One of the reactors (3) is equipped with an O2 and H2 probe that continuously monitors the concentration of the gases and records the data on the computer.

 

 

 

 

Some more pics...