Alfred Spormann

Our research is directed to understand molecular microbial metabolism and its linkage to ecological and evolutionary processes. We explore the distinguishing molecular features of (unusual) microbial metabolism and how (subtle) molecular and biochemical differences in metabolism scale to and explain microbial fitness and ecosystems-level patterns of diversity with relevance to bioremediation, bioenergy, and intestinal microbiology. See our most recent publications, 

1) Microbial Reductive Dehalogenation

Chloroethenes, such as PCE and TCE, are the most prevalent groundwater contaminants in the U.S. and the developed countries. Large scale remediation of contaminated aquifers relies largely on the activity of a group of unusual microbes (Dehalococcoides sp.) that derive energy from reductive dehalogenation. We study reductive dehalogenases and the strictly anaerobic bacteria, such as Dehalococcoides mccartyi sp. and Shewanella sp.  on a biochemical, physiological, genomic, and population level to better understand the unprecedented biochemistry of coenzyme B₁₂-related corrinoids involved but also to improve chlorethene bioremediation. Also, population-level studies in our lab have been revealing speciation and niche adaptation in Dehalococcoides mccartyi sp. in response to subtle changes in physical-chemical environments.

2) Microbial Electrosynthesis and Electron Transport between Microbes and Surfaces

Some microbes have the the capacity to either derive metabolic electrons from redox-active mineral surfaces or transfer such electrons to these surfaces. These processes are of great relevance to geochemical, environmental, but also bioenergy processes.  We are investigating the molecular bases of such electron transfer to uncover the enzymes and pathways for electron uptake as well as the metabolic structure of the associated communities. More recently, we began to explore microbial electrosynthesis as a novel means to produce CO2-neutral biofuels and commodity chemicals.

3) Microbial Metabolic Processes in the Large Intestine

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, episodic gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. IBS prevalence is estimated to be 10-15% in Western countries comprising 25 to 50 percent of all referrals to gastroenterologists. The gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex and diverse microbial community, which plays important roles in host nutrition, immune function, health and disease, and it is hypothesized the IBS disease phenotype is associated with a change in colonic microbiota and/or host factors such as mucosal function and immunity. With our physician collaborator, we study the metabolic processes in the intestinal microbial community, and how cellular metabolism is controlled by the host mucosa.