Ken Nealson
Shaw Distinguished Professor

B.S., Univ. of Chicago
1965
M.S., Univ. of Chicago
1966
Ph.D., Univ. of Chicago
1969

Office: CGLS 106
Phone: 414-382-1712
LAP:414-229-6806
FAX: 414-382-1705
Email: knealson@csd.uwm.edu
Electronic Reserve
Materials:
Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry

Research Interests

The Nealson lab focuses primarily on the investigation of the biogeochemistry of metals (primarily iron and manganese) in aquatic environments. We study the role that microbes play in catalyzing the oxidation and reduction of metals, which, under anaerobic conditions, can be used as oxygen substitutes for respiratory metabolism. In many environments, such activities are of major importance in carbon turnover and possibly for the breakdown of organic pollutants.

The primary approach is that of bacterial physiology, coupled with biochemical and genetic analysis. We measure activities in the field and isolate organisms capable of such activities. Studies of these bacteria in the laboratory allow us to develop more definitive methods for measuring activities in the field, including molecular methods for the identification of organisms.

Examples of student research in the past few years have included: 1) mechanistic studies of metal reduction by bacteria; 2) mechanisms of regulation in light emitting bacteria; 3) mechanisms of growth of bacteria on elemental sulfur or nitrate as electron acceptors; and 4) anaerobic chemotaxis of bacteria. Current and ongoing work is aimed at the study of the evolution of anaerobic respiratory pathways, studying several different pathways of respiration in the organism Shewanella putrefaciens.

Selected Publications

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Last Modified : December 24, 1996