Structure/Function and Physiology of Novel Enzymes from Diverse Microbes

This award supports a new, multidisciplinary research training program focused on discovery and characterization of novel enzymes and proteins from diverse microbes. A group of 11 faculty from the Departments of Chemistry and of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology have developed an innovative program that will provide microbiology students a level of chemical and biochemical training not available in traditional programs and, conversely, chemistry and biochemistry students with unprecedented training in microbial biology. A central feature of the program is trainee participation in a 'research team' consisting of two faculty members and undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral students. Following lab rotations in their first year, graduate students will join one of the teams and will have two mentors, one with molecular/biochemical expertise, the other with expertise in microbiology. Postdoctoral trainees will enter these groups directly, and will also have two mentors, a novel arrangement at this training level. In addition, graduate students will have the opportunity to spend up to four months as an intern in an industrial or other non-academic setting. Thus the training is designed to prepare students for diverse opportunities in a variety of employment sectors. ***