Navigation Links
Genomic research will enable greener cleanup of military explosive test sites
Date:11/4/2009

Vancouver, BC - Lowly bacteria, it turns out, hold the power to help militaries and munitions manufacturing plants around the world clean up toxic waste on test sites.

Compounds known as nitramines, specifically RDX, were invented back in World War II and have been used in military munitions for decades. These high-energy compounds are often used to propel tank shells and act like a more powerful version of TNT.

But with increased knowledge of their environmentally harmful effects, Canadian and US militaries, along with others around the world are looking for ways to clean up their contaminated test sites.

Dr. Lindsay Eltis of UBC, is leading the Genome BC-funded project entitled, Genomic Studies of Explosives Biodegradation. The $3.45 million project will study how bacteria degrade RDX and determine how to maximize its potential for bioremediation.

"RDX is a rich source of nitrogen, and certain bacteria including Rhodococcus and Gordonia, have evolved to thrive on the contaminants this explosive leaves behind," says Eltis.

With a voracious appetite for toxic chemical compounds and a near indestructibility (some can survive even high levels of nuclear radiation), Eltis describes bacteria as the "ultimate garbage incinerators."

This Genome BC-funded research, which is also funded by the US Military, presents a welcome alternative to the current option for cleanup at these sites: a costly and invasive process which involves removing the top layer of soil, carting it away by dump truck and burning it in an incinerator.

Defence Research and Development Canada, an Agency of the Canadian Department of National Defense has assisted this research by providing soil samples. Dr. Sylvie Brochu is a Defense Scientist with the organization. "Protection of the environment is a high priority for DND. We are committed to conducting military training in a way that causes as little impact on the environment as
'/>"/>

Contact: Rachael Froese Zamperini
rzamperini@genomebc.ca
604-612-6345
Genome BC
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. K-State receives more than $780,000 to fund graduate students studying ecology, evolution, genomics
2. Concordia University to construct new building for genomics research
3. New portal for plant genomics will support research into improved crops
4. University of Washington receives $25 million to create Northwest Genomics Center
5. Wisconsin Center of Excellence in Genomics Science established
6. NIH funds grantees focusing on epigenomics of human health and disease
7. New genomic research to tackle supply and demand issues in emerging forestry biofuels industry
8. 10th Functional Genomics: Chemical Biology 2009
9. Scientists decoding genomic sequences of H1N1 using isolates from outbreak in Argentina
10. Exploring standards to advance microbial genomics
11. Landmark project to map genomics of complex ant systems
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:6/19/2013)... team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh ... coating of HIV, that could be potential treatments ... generating resistance. These new agents are quite small, ... research was published in the June 2013 issue ... . , The first of many probable applications ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... MedNet Solutions , a global life ... is pleased to announce its participation in the 2013 ... Boston .  This represents the 10 ... cloud-based eClinical solutions, has exhibited at this premier industry ... iMedNet™ EDC , MedNet,s latest, easy-to-use eClinical technology ...
(Date:6/19/2013)... potent physiological anabolic agent for tissue-building and energy ... protein and carbohydrates, and inhibiting their breakdown and ... a major role in stimulating glucose entry into ... removed from the blood following meals. But gaps ... which insulin regulates glucose uptake in fat and ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):HIV-derived antibacterial shows promise against drug-resistant bacteria 2MedNet Solutions To Spotlight iMedNet EDC At The 49th DIA Annual Meeting 2Breakthrough research of essential molecule reveals important targets in diabetes and obesity 2
... target muscle may reverse the symptoms of a rare ... mice conducted by medical geneticists at Duke University Medical ... Pompe disease usually die before they reach the age ... targeting corrective genes to muscles may have application in ...
... the flow of water molecules through the brain can help ... if a patient's tumor will shrink, a new study shows. ... developed the assessment, which they call a functional diffusion map. ... diffusion, or movement, of water through the brain and mapped ...
... historic anthropology expedition to Ethiopia's Lake Turkana basin, researchers ... time are roughly 195,000 years old. The researchers ... we all trace to an ancient line that first ... recently as 50,000 years ago. , Ian McDougall of ...
Cached Biology News:Muscle-targeted gene therapy reverses rare muscular dystrophy in mice 2Muscle-targeted gene therapy reverses rare muscular dystrophy in mice 3New imaging method gives early indication if brain cancer therapy is effective, U-M study shows 2New imaging method gives early indication if brain cancer therapy is effective, U-M study shows 3New Clues Add 40,000 Years to Age of Human Species 2New Clues Add 40,000 Years to Age of Human Species 3New Clues Add 40,000 Years to Age of Human Species 4
(Date:6/20/2013)... Lake, MN (PRWEB) June 20, 2013 Over ... trade show displays, has received many questions that can be ... display for me?” Owner of GLM Displays, Matt Lunser, ... describe the differences between his products and offer some useful ... shows and expos. , “This buyer's guide is meant to ...
(Date:6/20/2013)... Belatrix Software, the leading global Nearshore ... its latest initiative – the Belatrix Software Innovation University ... leaders, and business and technology executives to participate in ... of the initiative is to fuel business leaders with ... product innovation efforts. It’s that inspiration that has ...
(Date:6/20/2013)... Sturgeon Bay, WI (PRWEB) June 20, 2013 ... rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, according to Sturgeon ... G Moellendorf, DC, ND, LCP . Recent research ... in increased health and decreased disease. , Researcher Janice ... College of Medicine in Columbus have studied the health ...
(Date:6/20/2013)... Dental decay is the number one chronic disease ... Crisafulli of Crisafulli Dental those statistics are no longer daunting. ... and implemented a cavity prevention program developed by CariFree that ... to 74% . The system is known as ... a solution to dental decay that works,” says Dr. Crisafulli, ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Belatrix Software Kicks off Major Innovation Effort and Invites Innovation Expert to Share How Agile + Design Thinking Accelerate Product Innovation 2Omega-3 Fatty Acids: the Fountain of Youth? 2Omega-3 Fatty Acids: the Fountain of Youth? 3Omega-3 Fatty Acids: the Fountain of Youth? 4Crisafulli Dental Launches Ground Breaking Cavity Prevention Program That Can Lower Decay Rates by 74% 2
... Sigma-Aldrich Corporation,(Nasdaq: SIAL ) will be presenting at ... 25th at 1:00 PM ET in New York. ... the,Internet available at http://ir.sigmaaldrich.com . Users can click ... on, http://ir.sigmaaldrich.com users will need to have Media ...
... ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 14 Human Genome,Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ... the,Merrill Lynch Global Pharmaceutical, Biotech & Medtech Conference in ... http://www.hgsi.com (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010612/HGSLOGO ) ... will present,an overview of the company on Tuesday, September ...
... Sept. 14 Palatin,Technologies, Inc. (Amex: PTN ) announced ... 30, 2007. Palatin reported a net loss of,$6.1 million, or ... 30, 2007, compared to a net loss of $7.9 million, ... in 2006. Total revenues in the,quarter ended June 30, 2007 ...
Cached Biology Technology:Palatin Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End 2007 Results; Teleconference and Webcast to be held on September 18, 2007 2Palatin Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End 2007 Results; Teleconference and Webcast to be held on September 18, 2007 3Palatin Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End 2007 Results; Teleconference and Webcast to be held on September 18, 2007 4Palatin Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End 2007 Results; Teleconference and Webcast to be held on September 18, 2007 5Palatin Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End 2007 Results; Teleconference and Webcast to be held on September 18, 2007 6Palatin Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End 2007 Results; Teleconference and Webcast to be held on September 18, 2007 7Palatin Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End 2007 Results; Teleconference and Webcast to be held on September 18, 2007 8
... particle based purification systems provide high speed ... sample. They offer increased throughput and reproducible ... KingFisher, KingFisher mL and KingFisher 96, covering ... Each system consists of an instrument, specially ...
... PROTECT FROM MOISTURE. AVOID FREEZE/THAW CYCLES. ... cells in vitro by DNA ... their anti-histone-facilitated detection. In this assay, mono- ... binding proteins. Anti-Histone 3 (H3) biotin-labeled antibody ...
... optimized cell lines in combination with ... nucleofection parameters. Nucleofector Kits are only ... Device., Different cell lines can be ... efficiencies and viabilities are given in ...
... solution or in a gel piece, we can ... be digested to produce a mixture of peptides. ... determined by MALDI-TOF, and the amino acid sequences ... will be determined by MALDI-TOF/TOF. The masses and ...
Biology Products: