Tiered Mentoring Program

Secrets Beneath the Surface: Uncovering Microbial Metabolic Mysteries in Wetland Sediments

Dr. John Senko and Sandu Weerasinghe

Are you intrigued by the hidden world of microbes and how their metabolic activities shape our environment? Join the Senko Lab, where we use different techniques to reveal the unseen forces driving nutrient and carbon cycles in wetland sediments.

About Our Research:

The Senko Lab is at the forefront of research into microbial metabolic activities in wetland environments. These microorganisms play a critical role in nutrient and carbon cycling, yet their metabolic processes are challenging to monitor due to their microscopic scale and diverse nature.

Our lab has developed the Zero Resistance Ammetry (ZRA) method, an electrochemical approach that allows us to detect microbial metabolism in real time. This method leverages electrical currents that develop between redox zones, helping us track microbial activity including reduction and oxidation of different chemical species. By manipulating lab conditions to simulate wetland environments, we can identify and monitor the metabolic processes of microorganisms to see how they survive.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Using the Zero Resistance Ammetry (ZRA) to detect and quantify microbial metabolic activities in sediment samples.
• Conducting chemical analyses with Ion Chromatography (Dionex) to measure how anion composition changes in microbial incubations.
• Measuring iron concentrations with Ferrozine assays using a UV spectrophotometer.
• Working in an anaerobic chamber with anaerobic microorganisms.
• Applying essential lab techniques like pipetting, solution preparation, autoclaving and centrifugation.
• Performing Microbial DNA analysis to identify microbial community structure

Skills and Knowledge You’ll Gain:

• Understanding of microbial metabolic processes and their role in biogeochemical cycles.
• Hands-on experience with various microbiological and electrochemical techniques.
• Expertise in working with environmental samples and understanding the significance of microbial metabolism in natural ecosystems.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a real-world laboratory setting.

Commitment and Expectations:

• 10 hours per week, with flexibility around your class schedule.
• A strong desire to learn and contribute to a collaborative research environment.

If you’re excited to explore the hidden world of microbial metabolism and work with state-of-the-art techniques, apply today! Click here to learn more about the Senko Lab!