Areas of Specialization

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Sustainable Systems Engineering
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Modeling of Biological Systems

Current Research

Metabolic responses in nitrifying bacteria:  Nitrifying bacteria play a vital role in the nitrogen cycle, which supports all life on earth.  In addition, they help to purify water by removing ammonia.  We’re working to discover how nitrifying bacteria respond metabolically when exposed to harmful environmental pollutants.  To better understand how these very important microorganisms function and how we may protect them, we are using genomic and proteomic methods to evaluate metabolic responses of nitrifying bacteria to selected environmental pollutants.  A goal of our research is to develop techniques for fast and easy appraisal of the health and activity of nitrification processes in both natural and engineered systems.

Bio-based hydrogen energy systems:  Global energy demand is projected to increase tremendously over the next few decades, especially in developing countries.  But current patterns of fossil fuel consumption raise serious questions about adverse environmental and health effects, including global warming.  Using a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach, we are working to develop bio-based methods for safe, efficient, and economical production of hydrogen to serve as an energy carrier for fuel cells or for internal combustion engines.  Systems of this type promise ultimately to be much cleaner and more efficient than current, fossil-fuel-based energy systems.

Selected Publications and Invited Presentations

Ely, R. L. “Evaluating In Situ Microbial Metabolic Activity by Gene Expression Analyses on DNA Microarrays.”  Invited presentation at the Bio 2002 International Biotechnology Convention & Exhibition, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Toronto, ON, Canada, June 9-12, 2002

Chen, J., and R. L. Ely. 2001. Comparison of artificial neural network, genetic programming, and mechanistic modeling of complex biological processes. Environ. Eng. Sci. 18(5):267-278

Gregory, L. G., T. S. Radniecki, and R. L. Ely. “Construction of Gene Libraries on DNA Microarrays to Characterize Differential Gene Expression.”  Invited paper presented at the 221st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Diego, CA, April 1-5, 2001.

Sorenson, K. S. and R. L. Ely, 2001. Enhanced Bioremediation for Treatment of Chlorinated Solvent Residual Source Areas. American Chemical Society, Environmental Chemistry Division, Preprints of Extended Abstracts, 41(1):1092-1097.

Sorenson, K. S., Jr., L. N. Peterson, R. E. Hinchee, and R. L. Ely. 2000. An evaluation of aerobic trichloroethene attenuation using first-order rate estimation. Bioremediation J. 4(4):337-357.

Sorenson, K. S., L. N. Peterson, and R. L. Ely, 2000. In Situ Biostimulation of Reductive Dehalogenation — Dependence on Redox Conditions and Electron Donor Distribution. Groundwater 2000, P. L. Bjerg, P. Engesgaard, and Th. D. Krom, eds., A. A. Balkema Publishers, Rotterdam, Netherlands, pp. 379-380.

Sorenson, K. S., L. N. Peterson, R. L. Ely, and J. M. Barnes, 2000. Dispersion and Intrinsic Degradation of Trichloroethene under Aerobic Conditions in a Basalt Aquifer. Groundwater 2000, P. L. Bjerg, P. Engesgaard, and Th. D. Krom, eds., A. A. Balkema Publishers, Rotterdam, Netherlands, pp. 341-342.

Ely, R. L. “Toxic Compounds and Nitrifying Bacteria:  Biodegradation, Toxic Effects, and Stress Responses.”  Invited Presentation.  Symposium on Fundamentals, Modeling, and Applications of Nitrification and Denitrification.  Roanoke, VA.  March 28-31, 1999.

Sorenson, K. S., L. N. Peterson, and R. L. Ely. 1999. Enhanced reductive dechlorination of TCE in a basalt aquifer. In Engineered Approaches for In Situ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvent Contamination, A. Leeson and B. C. Alleman, eds., Battelle Press, Columbus, OH, pp. 147-155.

Johnson, R., B. K. Mobarry, R. L. Ely, and L. Semprini. 1998. TCE Cometabolism by Ammonia- Oxidizing Biofilms Grown Under Near-Oligotrophic Conditions. In Natural Attenuation: Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, G. B. Wickramanayake and R. E. Hinchee, Eds. Battelle Press. Columbus, OH.

Meehan, J. and R. L. Ely. 1998. Analysis of Intrinsic, Aerobic Bioremediation of TCE Using Basalt-Based Columns. In Natural Attenuation: Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, G. B. Wickramanayake and R. E. Hinchee, Eds. Battelle Press. Columbus, OH.

Ely, R. L., R. Johnson, and B. K. Mobarry. “Characterization of Oligotrophic, Ammonia-Oxidizing Biofilms by Scanning Confocal Laser Microscopy and Molecular Probes Before and After TCE Exposure.”  Invited Presentation.  IAWQ International Specialty Conference on the Microbial Ecology of Biofilms:  Concepts, Tools, and Applications.  Lake Bluff, IL. October 8-10, 1998.

Semprini, L., R. L. Ely, and M. M. Lang. 1998. Modeling of Cometabolism for the In-situ Biodegradation of Trichloroethylene and Other Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons. In Bioremediation Principles and Practices, S. Sikdar and R. L. Irvine, Eds. Technomic Publishing Co. Lancaster, PA.

Ely, R. L., K. J. Williamson, M. R. Hyman, and D. J. Arp. 1997. Cometabolism of Chlorinated Solvents by Nitrifying Bacteria: Kinetics, Substrate Interactions, Toxicity Effects, and Bacterial Response. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 54(6):520-534.

Hyman, M. R., S. A. Russell, R. L. Ely, K. J. Williamson, and D. J. Arp. 1995. Cometabolism of Trichlorothylene by Nitrosomonas europaea: Inhibition, Inactivation, and Recovery of Ammonia-Oxidizing Activity. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61(4):1480-1487.

Ely, R. L, K. J. Williamson, R. B. Guenther, M. R. Hyman, and D. J. Arp. 1995. A Cometabolic Kinetics Model Incorporating Enzyme Inhibition, Inactivation, and Recovery. 1. Model Development, Analysis, and Testing. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 46(3):218-231.

Ely, R. L, M. R. Hyman, D. J. Arp, R. B. Guenther, and K. J. Williamson. 1995. A Cometabolic Kinetics Model Incorporating Enzyme Inhibition, Inactivation, and Recovery. 2. TCE Degradation Experiments. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 46(3):232-245.