Biological Sciences
Science and Engineering 601,
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479.575.3251
Fax: 479.575.4010
|
Daniel Lessner SCEN 628 |
Research Interests:
Research in my laboratory is focused on the biochemistry and molecular biology of strictly anaerobic microorganisms from the Archaea domain, in particular methane-producing Archaea (methanogens). Anaerobic microorganisms have a substantial impact on human health and the environment. For example, some strict anaerobes such as Clostridia sp. are pathogenic. And anaerobic microbes play an essential role in the global carbon cycle converting biomass to methane through methanogenesis. Methane is also a potent greenhouse gas that directly impacts global warming. Conversely, methane (Biogas) produced from renewable biomass is a clean-burning alternative energy source. Methanogens are particularly important to the fields of Astrobiology and Exobiology as they are believed to be evolutionarily ancient organisms.
We are interested in understanding fundamental cellular processes in methanogens, including the oxidative stress response, iron homeostasis, and Fe-S cluster biosynthesis. These processes are relevant to all forms of life and will aid our understanding of their evolution. We use Methanosarcina acetivorans as a model methanogen for several reasons: 1) it is metabolically diverse, 2) it has a sequenced genome and, 3) it is one of the few genetically tractable methanogens. We employ biochemical, genetic and functional genomics techniques to understand fundamental processes in M. acetivorans. We have recently identified a novel Fe-S cluster containing disulfide reductase (MdrA) and are currently exploring its role in response to oxidative stress and/or Fe-S cluster biosynthesis. Importantly, genes encoding homologs of MdrA are found widespread in prokaryotes, including some pathogens. A second more applied project looks at the genetic and metabolic engineering of methanogens to overcome limitations during biogas production such as substrate utilization and strain stability.
Academic Interests:
Physiology, enzymology, molecular biology, and functional genomics of anaerobic Archaea
Lab Website:
Dr. Lessner's lab website.
Recent Publications:
Ferry, J. G. and Lessner, D. J. 2008. Methanogenesis in Marine Sediments. In Wiegel, J., R. Maier and M. W. W. Adams (eds.), Incredible Anaerobes: From Physiology to Genomics to Fuels, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., New York, NY. 1125:147-157.
Lessner, D. J. and Ferry, J. G. 2007. The archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans contains a protein disulfide reductase with an iron-sulfur cluster. J. Bacteriol. 189:7475-7484.
Lessner, D. J., Li, L., Li, Q., Rejtar, T., Andreev, V. P., Reichlen, M., Hill, K., Moran, J. J., Karger, B. L., and Ferry, J. G. 2006. An unconventional pathway for reduction of CO2 to methane in CO-Grown Methanosarcina acetivorans revealed by proteomics. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 103:17921-17926.
Li, Q., Li, L., Rejtar, T., Lessner, D. J., Karger, B. L., and Ferry, J. G. 2006. Electron transport in the pathway of acetate conversion to methane in the marine archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans. J. Bacteriol. 188:702-710.