Bacterial Respiration Rates
Bacteria respire at vastly different rates depending on where they are within their life
cycle. We've been studying bacterial respiration under conditions of nutrient starvation,
in their "long term stationary phase". They stay alive under these stressful conditions by
utilizing recycled nutrients from dead siblings. We have used bacteria growing under
these conditions as a model for deep biosphere environments where nutrients are scarce.
Experiments test bacterial evolution under conditions of varying environmental
forcing. Oxygen consumption is our primary focus but we are also examining respiration
patterns and rates when other oxidants are provided in excess and reduced compounds
are limiting.
Collaborators:K. Nealson-USC, S. Finkel-USC
