Center for Environmental Biotechnology
The Center for Environmental Biotechnology (CEB) was established in 1986 to foster a multidisciplinary approach for training the next generation of environmental scientists in solving environmental problems through biotechnology and distinguishing itself as a world leader in developing the interdisciplinary research field of Environmental Biotechnology. The CEB has evolved over the years by incorporation of state-of-the-art technology into its research programs and directing research towards emerging environmental and societal needs. The CEB maintains a core of faculty, non-tenure research faculty, and postdoctoral scientists dedicated to UT’s goal of becoming a top 25 research institution, promoting economic development in Tennessee, and incorporating teaching, training, outreach, and diversity throughout their research programs. We provide expertise across a broad spectrum of science and engineering disciplines and are heavily invested in maintaining multidisciplinary research activities. Core research areas include bioenvironmental systems and environmental omics (genomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and gene expression), biomicroelectronics, nanobiotechnology, biomedical and health care imaging technologies, biosensor and bioreporter development, environmental toxicology and water quality, bioenergy and biofuels, and education and outreach.
Student Opportunities
The Center for Environmental Biotechnology hosts M.S. and Ph.D. degree seeking graduate students from multiple disciplines including (but not limited to) Microbiology, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Prospective graduate students (i) must apply for graduate admissions to a relevant academic department and (ii) notify the CEB of their intent to conduct their research at CEB. The CEB additionally hosts numerous undergraduate student interns and high school students in order to promote scientific and technological learning and the application of learned concepts to real-world situations.
Information on the Graduate School can be found at
http://gradschool.utk.edu/default.shtml. Please visit the
UTK website for information on academic departments. Information on undergraduate internships can be found at http://research.utk.edu/undergrad/. Information for high school students and/or their instructors interested in hands-on laboratory experiences can be found at http://service.utk.edu/pre-collegiate/index.shtml.
News and Events
The CEB welcomes and looks forward to challenging a talented group of undergraduate students and high school students in our lab during the Spring 2013 academic semester.
| Clara Beasley | Kasey Estenson | Andres Arreaza |
| James Dean Webb | Hunter Tipton | Alexandra Lynn |
| Danielle Large | Will Hoffman | Kimberly Johnson |
| Yanchong Huangfu | Brittany Jones | Jennifer Wu |
| Dena Croft | Alexander Shumaker | Casey Martin |
| Eric Holweg | Emily Stebbins | High School Students: |
| Matthew Culbert | Christian Woods | Nathan Tolbert |
| James O'Rourke | Sam Blount | Spencer Cate |
| Krista Cowan | Noelle Herrera | Bryce Curtsinger |
Congratulations to Tingting Xu for receiving her docotoral degree during the Fall 2012 semester.
Improving Lives by Making Cells Glow (courtesy of the UT Media Relations Center)
Recent News
Dr. Susan Pfiffner is working with Dow Chemical and ORNL on a Department of Energy award to improve the white roofs' ability to reflect solar rays, reducing cooling costs for commercial buildings.
Recent Publications
Close, D., T. Xu, A. Smartt, A. Rogers, R. Crossley, S. Price, S. Ripp, and G. Sayler. 2012. The evolution of the bacterial luciferase gene cassette (lux) as a real-time bioreporter. Sensors, 12: 732-752.
Cusick, K. D., S. Minkin, S. C. Dodani, C. J. Chang, S. W. Wilhelm, and G. Sayler. 2012. Inhibition of copper uptake in yeast reveals the copper transporter Ctr1p as a potential molecular target of saxitoxin. Environmental Science and Technology, 46:2959-2966.
Johnson G, Curry B, Cahalan L, Prater R, Biggerstaff J, Hussain A, Gartner M, Cahalan P. 2013. Effects of surface-bound and intravenously administered heparin on cell-surface interactions: inflammation and coagulation. Perfusion, Online First, doi: 0.1177/0267659113475834.
Layton, A. C., A. E. Smartt, A. Chauhan, S. Ripp, D. E. Williams, W. Burton, S. Moser, J. Phillips, A. V. Palumbo, and G. S. Sayler. 2012. Ameliorating risk: Culturable and metagenomic monitoring of the 14 year decline of a genetically engineered microorganism at a bioremediation field site. OMICS Journal of Bioremediation and Biodegradation S1:009. doi: 10.4172/2155- 6199.S1-009.
Smartt, A. E., T. Xu, P. Jegier, J. J. Carswell, S. A. Blount, G. S. Sayler, and S. Ripp. 2012. Pathogen detection using engineered bacteriophage. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 402:3127-3146.
Vishnivetskaya T. A., L. S. Fisher, G. A. Brodie, and T. J. Phelps. 2013. Microbial communities involved in biological ammonium removal from coal combustion wastewaters. Microbial Ecology, doi: 10.1007/s00248-012-0152-5.
Xu T, Close DM, Sayler GS, Ripp S. 2013. Genetically modified whole-cell bioreporters for environmental assessment. Ecological Indicators 28:125-141.
Contact Information
The Center for Environmental Biotechnology
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
676 Dabney Hall
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1605
For more information concerning CEB, please contact us by e-mail (cebweb@utk.edu) or by phone (865-974-8080).