CEE 200 Seminar – Mercury and Its Methylation by Microorganisms: Where We Have Been, Where We Are, and Where Do We Go from Here

Sep 28, 2017

Seminar flyer. "UCLA Civil & Environmental Engineering Department C&EE 200 Section 2 Seminar Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Mercury and Its Methylation by Microorganisms: Where We Have Been, Where We Are, and Where Do We Go from Here Geoffrey Christensen, Ph.D. Post Doctoral Research Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory Methylmercury (MeHg) is a common toxic contaminant in many ecosystems but the relationship between the microorganism that produce MeHg and its concentration in the environment is poorly understood. Two genes, hgcA and hgcB, are essential for microbial mercury (Hg) methylation. Detection and estimation of their abundance, in conjunction with Hg concentration, bioavailability, and biogeochemistry, are critical in determining potential hot spots of MeHg generation in at-risk environments. Equally important is the utilization of valid methods for quantifying the diversity and abundance of hgcAB. We recently developed universal qualitative PCR probes for hgcAB as well as quantitative probes that select for hgcA+ organisms from three dominant Hg-methylating clades. This more cost-effective and simpler approach as compared to metagenomics will allow for more widespread use among laboratories. Utilization of this validated technique could be performed on-site or at mobile laboratories to provide rapid and accurate estimates of Hg-methylator abundance thereby quickly informing risk assessment and management as well as for remediation strategies. Geoff Christensen received his undergraduate degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2008) and his doctorate from University of Missouri-Columbia (2014), both in Biochemistry. He worked with Dr. Judy Wall at University of Missouri, where he characterized the redox repressor Rex and its role in regulating the metabolism of the sulfate reducer Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough. As a graduate student at MU, Geoff has been recognized for his efforts, including the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Training Grant, Dr. Charles W. Gehrke Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) Young Scientist Grant. After receiving his doctorate, he was recruited by Dr. Dwayne Elias from Oak Ridge National Laboratory."

CEE 200 Seminar – Mercury and Its Methylation by Microorganisms: Where We Have Been, Where We Are, and Where Do We Go from Here

UCLA Civil & Environmental Engineering Department

C&EE 200 Section 2 Seminar

Environmental and Water Resources Engineering

Mercury and Its Methylation by Microorganisms: Where We Have Been, Where We Are, and Where Do We Go from Here

 Geoffrey Christensen, Ph.D.

Post Doctoral Research Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a common toxic contaminant in many ecosystems but the relationship between the microorganism that produce MeHg and its concentration in the environment is poorly understood. Two genes, hgcA and hgcB, are essential for microbial mercury (Hg) methylation. Detection and estimation of their abundance, in conjunction with Hg concentration, bioavailability, and biogeochemistry, are critical in determining potential hot spots of MeHg generation in at-risk environments. Equally important is the utilization of valid methods for quantifying the diversity and abundance of hgcAB. We recently developed universal qualitative PCR probes for hgcAB as well as quantitative probes that select for hgcA+ organisms from three dominant Hg-methylating clades. This more cost-effective and simpler approach as compared to metagenomics will allow for more widespread use among laboratories. Utilization of this validated technique could be performed on-site or at mobile laboratories to provide rapid and accurate estimates of Hg-methylator abundance thereby quickly informing risk assessment and management as well as for remediation strategies.

Geoff Christensen received his undergraduate degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2008) and his doctorate from University of Missouri-Columbia (2014), both in Biochemistry. He worked with Dr. Judy Wall at University of Missouri, where he characterized the redox repressor Rex and its role in regulating the metabolism of the sulfate reducer Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough. As a graduate student at MU, Geoff has been recognized for his efforts, including the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Training Grant, Dr. Charles W. Gehrke Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) Young Scientist Grant. After receiving his doctorate, he was recruited by Dr. Dwayne Elias from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Date/Time:
Date(s) - Sep 28, 2017
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location:
Boelter Hall 4275
4275 Boelter Hall Los Angeles CA 90095