My primary
interest resides functional dynamics in microbial communities involved
in carbon and nitrogen cycle in marine environments. I worked on
denitrifying bacteria and marine phytoplankton to understand their
diversity and functionality on the basis of functional genes involved
in carbon and nitrogen metabolism. For example, functional genes
encoding dissimilatory nitrite reductases (nir), critical enzymes
in denitrification, and nitrate transporter (nat) and nitrate reductase
(NR) involved in nitrate assimilation in marine phytoplankton were
targeted to investigate biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen. Real-time
PCR and microarray analyses are adapted to monitor the dynamics
in microbial communities involved in these processes. Furthermore,
I used metagenome to obtain genomic information of uncultured microorganisms
in natural habitats. Microbial activities in carbon cycle also study
using molecular tools to understand decomposition and biosynthesis
of organic carbons in natural ecosystems.
The second emphasis of my research
is developing genetic markers to monitor bioremediation of toxic
metals in contaminated sites. I worked on the genes encoding arsenite
oxidase (aox) and arsenate reductase (arr) to monitor arsenic biotransformation
in estuary sediments. This research will lead to detect in situ
processes of mobilization and immobilization of arsenic in the environment. Click here to view my laboratory poster (pdf).
Song, B and B. B. Ward. (2004)
Genetic diversity of benzoyl-CoA reductase genes detected
in estuarine sediments. Appl Microbiol Environ Accepted
for publication.
Song, B and B. B. Ward. (2003)
Nitrite reductase genes in halobenzoate degrading denitrifying
bacteria and related species. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 43.
349-357
Song, B and B. B. Ward. (2004)
Molecular characterization of assimilatory nitrate reductase
gene in marine green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta. J
Phycol 40. 721-731.
Song, B and B. B.
Ward. (2004) Molecular cloning and characterization of
high affinity nitrate transporters in marine phytoplankton. in preparation.
Song, B and B. B.
Ward. (2004) Seasonal variation of marine phytoplankton
at Monterey Bay detected by high affinity nitrate transporter genes.
in preparation.
Song, B and B. B. Ward. (2004)
Genetic diversity of benzoyl-CoA reductase genes detected
in estuarine sediments. Appl Microbiol Environ Accepted
for publication.
Song, B and B. B.
Ward. (2004) Genetic diversity of dissimilatory arsenate
reductase genes detected in Chesapeake Bay sediments collected from
three different stations along the variation of environmental parameters.
in preparation.
Jiang, W., A. Saxena, B. Song, B. B. Ward, T. J. Beveridge, S. C. B. Myneni (2004) Elucidation of functional groups on gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial surfaces using infrared spectroscopy. Langmuir 20, 11433-11442.
Allen, A. E., B. B. Ward and B. Song (2005) Characterization of diatom (Bacillariophyceae) nitrate reductase genes and their detection in marine phytoplankton communities. J. Phycol. 41, 95-104.
Song, B and B. B. Ward. (2005) Genetic diversity of benzoyl-CoA reductase genes detected in estuarine sediments. Appl Microbiol Environ 71, 2036-2045. Click here
for a complete list of Dr. Song's publications.
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