Within the labs of the Science Building, Metro faculty is playing with germs.
Metro’s science research ranges from pathology to animal ecology. The work is local and will have a large impact on the rest of the world, making Metro the epicenter for major waves on the scientific front.
One example of this research is led by Dr. Rebecca V. Ferrell, Professor of Biology at Metro. Ferrell is studying nitrifying bacteria and the way they are affecting world ecology.
Nitrifying bacteria is common in sewage treatment wetlands, which are used by many third world countries. These wetlands affect the entire ecosystem surrounding them, making it crucial to maintain their balance. This research is improving the conditions of these wetlands, which in effect will better the condition of the ecosystem.
“The research began when we were invited to Mexico to view composting toilets to figure out if they were working,” Ferrell said.
This work led to the study of the sewage treatment wetlands. Raw sewage contains massive amounts of ammonia, which seep through the ground and into the ocean water. These high levels can cause an explosion in algae growth in the ocean, which kills coral reefs off the coast of Mexico.
Nitrifying bacteria converts ammonia into nitrite and nitrate; plants in the wetlands can then absorb these safely. The excess nitrate is easily converted into nitrogen gas. A majority of the air people breathe is made up of nitrogen gas.
These bacteria minimize the amount of ammonia that is running into the ocean, protecting the reef and the creatures within it.
Another example of how tiny bacteria has a big impact is the research being conducted on antibiotic resistant diseases.
Dr. Sheryl Zajdowicz, Professor of Biology at Metro is heading the research on the pathogenic bacteria in hopes of finding ways to inhibit these bacteria and stop them from killing people. The strains of bacteria are Group B strep and Enterococcus faecal.
“Group B strep can cause meningitis in newborns. Babies and the elderly are especially susceptible,” said Zajdowicz.
These bacteria are especially deadly because they are often contracted in hospitals and are highly resistant.
The bacteria perpetuates by creating toxins and enzymes which extract and bind iron from the host’s cells. In the process, the host cell is destroyed. Zajdowicz is studying the ways in which these bacterial cells are extracting iron on a genetic level. She wants to find a way to block these cell-killing particles.
If the bacteria can be stopped from taking iron from the host cells, then they themselves will not survive. This research has the potential to save lives worldwide.