Funded Projects

We present a concept of selective metal removal from aqueous streams based upon the solution phase and solid phase binding of natural products called siderophores. In this project, a novel siderophore product, methanobactin, will be studied computationally and, later, experimentally through the combined expertise of the collaborative trio. Chosen for the potential to bind numerous metal compounds (including precious and toxic species), methanobactin will be computationally modeled using density functional theory by Drs. Dupuis and Pfeifer in both a solution and immobilized environment based upon structural variations that could affect metal removal capacity in each state. Simultaneously, the concept of solution phase versus immobilized phase metal binding differences will be tested experimentally by Drs. Pfeifer and Atkinson based upon combined expertise in siderophore production and surface characterization of traditional immobilization matrices (such as activated carbon and polymeric resins) and continually informed throughout the project by the predictive outcomes of the aforementioned computational modeling work. The project is new by virtue of novel partnerships or approaches (or both) regarding natural product biosynthesis (Pfeifer), computational modeling (Dupuis), and solid phase characterization (Atkinson). Also highlighting novelty will be a new siderophore product, methanobactin, which has not previously been studied by this group of scientists. Finally, the research potential is broad and unique, offering future dual directions in environmental and economic conservation.