SRU biology major researching how microbes can lead to cleaner water
A Slippery Rock University student’s hands-on research aims to help purify water using innovative techniques.
Carmen Hay, a senior biology major from Connellsville, takes samples from Wolf Creek near Slippery Rock to investigate the use of microbes, while addressing water pollution.
Pollution remediation, or bioremediation, is an emerging approach to naturally clean environmental contamination, like acid mine drainage, by leveraging microbes’ natural ability to process target compounds.
“If we know what the new bacteria eats, we could use it for bioremediation where we could put it into its environment to purify the water,” Hay said.
Under the advisement of Evan Guiney, associate professor of biology, Hay is using deep DNA sequencing to study bacteria communities in healthy and polluted streams using mesocosms, self-contained boxes meant to emulate Wolf Creek’s natural environment. This will give the Hay and Guiney a better understanding of the creek’s ecosystem, and it is part of a larger effort by researchers in the SRU Biology Department to help identify microbes capable of pollution remediation.
“We wanted to pick a place that’s also of interest to our colleagues, so as we use DNA sequencing and learn the tools, we are also helping build our knowledge of the ecosystem around us,” Guiney said.
Clean samples Guiney and Hay retrieved from Wolf Creek are currently housed in four mesocosms in a laboratory in SRU’s Vincent Science Center to allow organisms to grow. Pollutants are then being added to three out of four boxes so researchers can compare them to the control mesocosm.
Purified DNA from selected microbes will be sequenced via highly computational analysis to understand its genetic potential for pollution remediation.
The research allows students like Hay to develop a further understanding of DNA sequencing and its real-world applications, while also allowing Gainey and other researchers in the biology department to better understand the ecology of Wolf Creek.
“Modern DNA sequencing technology has come a long way, and it is a big part of modern medicine and health care,” Guiney said. “I wanted to come up with a project that would help students learn about those tools.”
Additionally, Guiney and Hay will be investigating pollution remediation techniques, which could help researchers gain a larger understanding of how to safely and naturally clean polluted streams and rivers in the area.
“This is a pilot study, and a lot of what we are doing right now is figuring out what works and what doesn’t work,” Guiney said.
Hay’s long-term goal is work in the field of oncology. Understanding DNA sequencing and its tools will benefit her in her future career.
Guiney and Hay’s project is funded by SRU’s summer collaborative research experience grant.
Justin Zackal is a communication specialist with Slippery Rock University.
