From Biofuels to Bug Busters: Using microbes to solve real-world problems

Join us to learn how we discover unique new properties in bacteria. How can we use these to improve human health and the environment?
About this Event

Despite their microscopic size, bacteria impact our lives in big ways. As we learn more about the vast diversity of bacteria on our planet, scientists are discovering unique and specialized abilities from bacteria that might be useful to humans. How can bacteria help power your car? How can bacteria aid in fighting fungal infections? This talk will begin to answer those questions along with a discussion about the importance of basic science in the development of biotechnology and biomedicine.

Speaker:

Dr. Jeffrey G. Gardner is a Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at the University of Maryland – Baltimore County (gardlab.umbc.edu). Jeffrey’s lab uses the bacterium Cellvibrio japonicus to study enzymes that can help produce cost-effective renewable fuels or treat antibiotic-resistant fungal infections.