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Science Friday > Archives > 2003 > December
> December 12, 2003:
Hour One: Bacterial Bioremediation / Flu Update
Scientists have sequenced the genome of an unusual bacterium that
can mop up radioactive metals in water. The researchers responsible
for the work say that the microorganism may also have energy-producing
properties. Other bacteria are known to feast on oil, and bacterial
processes have been used for years to help cleanse sewage water. This
hour, we'll talk about bioremediation--using living things such as
microbes to clean up hazardous waste.
Plus, an update on the flu vaccine. With cases of influenza cropping
up all over the country, many people are scrambling to get vaccinated
against the flu. However, some clinics' vaccine supplies are running
dry. Is there a national vaccine shortage?
Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern),
and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).
Guests:
Barbara Methé
Collaborative Investigator
The Institute for Genomic Research
Rockville, Maryland
Derek Lovley
Distinguished University Professor and Department Head
Department of Microbiology
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Theodore Eickhoff, M.D.
Professor of Medicine, Division
of Infectious Diseases
University of Colorado Health Sciences
Center
Denver, Colorado
Books/Articles Discussed:
- "Genome of Geobacter sulfurreducens: Metal Reduction
in Subsurface Environments." B. A. Methe´, et al, Science
302, 1967-1969.
- (find
more SciFri books here)
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Related Links:
CDC-
Influenza
MEDLINEplus:
Influenza
FDA
Advisory Committee
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- Genomes
to Life Progam, U.S. Department of Energy
Genomic
Approaches to Waste Cleanup
Geobacter
Project Home Page - UMass Amherst
Mining
bacteria's appetite for toxic waste / Researchers try to clean nuclear
sites with microbes
Iron-loving
bacteria can learn to consume uranium - 11/26/2001 - ...
Meet
the superbug: Radiation-resistant bacteria may clean up ...
Natural
and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR)
This segment produced by Karin
Vergoth
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