One of my primary research interests focuses on the regulation of gene expression in cells in response to stress such as nutrient deprivation, culture density, osmotic stress, heat shock, and mechanical stress. Our approaches include studying the regulation of transcription, mRNA degradation and protein synthesis in cells grown under a variety of culture conditions. In addition, we are studying the physiology of cells immobilized in latex and the development of these biofilms as biocatalysts and biosensors. In another research program, my laboratory is studying the interaction between pathogenic streptomycetes and their host plants.
Streptomyces scabies causes scab disease on a variety of underground vegetables.
In this system, we are characterizing phytotoxins produced by the pathogen that are involved in eliciting lesion formation on the plant, elucidating the biosynthetic pathway of the phytotoxin, and studying the mechanism of biological control of this disease. Lyngberg, O.K., D.J. Stemke, J.L. Schottel, and M.C. Flickinger. J. Ind. Microbiol. L.E. Scriven, J.L. Schottel, and M.C. Flickinger. Microstructure of a biocatalytic latex coating containing viable Escherichia coli cells.