Research interests

The utilization of biochemical and molecular techniques to study the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's). One aspect of this research involves the isolation and characterization of bacteria possessing this biodegradative potential. This includes cloning the genes and expressing the proteins involved in the metabolism of hydrocarbons. Molecular tools are also being utilized to examine the microbial community structure at PAH contaminated sites. Understanding the effects that the addition of chemical and/or biological agents have on the composition of microbial communities is an essential step towards developing methods to accelerate the rate of bioremediation.

Selected publications

Jackson,C.R. Churchill,P.F. and Roden,E.E. 2001. Successional changes in bacterial assemblage structure during epilithic biofilm development. Ecology. 82:555-566.

Churchill,S.A., Harper,J.P., and Churchill,P.F. 1999. Isolation and characterization of a Mycobacterium species capable of degrading three-and four-ring aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Appl. and Environ. Microbiol. 65:549-552.

Jackson,C.R.,Roden E.E., and Churchill,P.F. 1998. Changes in bacterial species composition in enrichment cultures with varying inoculum dilution as monitored by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Appl. and Environ. Microbiol. 64:5046-5048.

Langston,H.P.,L.Jones,S.Churchill,and P.F.Churchill. 1996. Purification and characterization of a (R)-3-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase deletion mutant. Evidence for C-terminal involvement in enzyme activation by lecithin. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 327:45-52.

Churchill, S.A., R.A Griffen, L.P.Jones, and P.Churchill. 1995. Biodegradative rate enhancement of hydrocarbons by an oleophilic fertilizer and a rhamnolipid biosurfactant. J. of Env.Quality 24:19-28.