Mercury uptake in Shewanella
Oneidensis
Alex Szczuka
Adviser: Dr. Jeffra Schaefer
Prof. Francois Morel Lab
Mercury Cycle
Methylmercury = toxic = accumulation
S. Oneidensis: a non-methylator
• Same environment
as methylators
• Aerobic and
anaerobic
• Is the uptake the
same in the presence
and lack of oxygen?
Procedure
• Harvest in
exponential growth
phase
• Set up conditions
• Wash cells
• Measure mercury
content
Mercury uptake is active
Uptake with CCCP shown by connected dots;Uptake in the presence of Cysteine disconnected
Uptake could depend on oxygen
Summary
• Mercury uptake is active
• Uptake could depend on oxygen
Thank You!
• Dr. Jeffra Schaefer
• Prof. Francois Morel
• PEI
Image references
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8518.html
http://web.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v37_3_04/
article02.shtml