Microbiology and the Environment

Microbiology research is supported across USGS Science Disciplines Biology, Geography, Geology, and Water.*

Fish and Wildlife Disease Researchers bring understanding to how diseases interact with their fish and wildlife hosts.	Bioremediation Scientists discover how microbes can clean up contamination in the environment.
Climate Change Microbes and their impact on the Earth's climate are studied to discover the role microbes play in climate change.	Energy From supplying energy to impacting human health, scientists study the microbes that play a role in the Nation's energy resources.
Ecosystem Function The latest tools and techniques are used to understand the role of microbes in shaping the environment.	Geographic Patterns Scientists provide insight on the distribution of microbes that impact public health and ecosystem function.
Geomicrobiology Researchers investigate how microbes interact with the nonliving parts of Earth such as soils, sediment, and atmosphere.	Human Health Using microbes, scientists study environmental agents that can impact human health.
Microbial Ecology Scientists use the latest techniques to understand the living community of microbes in the environment.	Water Quality Chemicals, algal blooms, and pathogens are measured and monitored to assist beach health and other water quality programs.
Nanotechnology Scientists reveal the impact of nanoparticles on ecosystems and organisms, as well as new uses for energy production, industry, and science.
- All samples of USGS microbiology research activities

 

*Research summaries are contributed by USGS scientists and information specialists from across USGS disciplines. For the goals of this Web site, see "Feedback about the Web site" under Contact Us.

 

New Publication Compares Field-Friendly DNA Preservation Techniques

Photo: Ofu, American Samoa – an example of a remote field site where simple methods that can preserve samples for three days of traveling to return

An article published in the January 2013 issue of FEMS Microbiology Ecology by microbiologists at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center compared a variety of methods that can be used to preserve mixed bacterial samples in the field for DNA analysis back in the laboratory. The team evaluated both practical factors such as cost and ease of use, as well as more specific scenarios including not having access to a freezer or being unable to transport samples containing flammable chemicals or liquids.

Read More >>

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Pathogen Fitness and Virulence of a Fish Virus

Photo: Rainbow Trout. Credit: Gael Kurath/USGS.

In a latest issue of The Journal of Virology, researchers from the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center and the University of Washington examined the relationship between pathogen fitness and virulence using an important fish virus, Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). Read More >>

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See Past Featured Topics >>

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Featured Scientist in Microbiology

 

Denise Akob

 

 

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USGS microbiology capabilities develop at science centers where scientists use the latest methods and equipment to provide services for partners and customers.

• Science Centers - centers across the U.S. with microbiology expertise
  
• Scientists - contact information and research links

Cyanobacteria, human cells, other microbes, and more: images captured by USGS personnel related to their microbiology research.

- More images

USGS Microbiology Coordinator
Kay M. Briggs
Phone: 703-648-4046

Scientists may be contacted through the Microbiology Scientists page or by the USGS Employee Directory.