Geomicrobiology & Environmental Microbiology Studies
at Louisiana State University

Microorganisms control important geochemical and geological processes. We are investigating microorganisms in several different types of terrestrial habitats, including caves, groundwater, and hot springs, as well as microbes in symbiotic association with animals (insects and clams). One microbial group that we are especially interested in are chemolithoautotrophs because of their ability to scavenge nutrients from rocks and to harness chemical energy, as well as serving as the energetic base of many ecosystems. To understand and to quantify the roles that microbes may have played in shaping the Earth through time, our overall research goals are to understand how microorganisms have come to colonize so many different environments on Earth, how microorganisms have interacted with geological materials through time, and how and to what extent are biogeochemical cycles affected by microbial activities.

NEW STUDENT OPPORTUNITY: Houston Energy Fellow and Flagship Graduate Research Assistantship in Isotope Biogeochemistry and Geomicrobiology

LSU ranked in U.S. News & World Report's top tier! In the 2009 edition of U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges, LSU is ranked in the first tier for "Best National Universities."

The following research topics are currently being investigated by the Louisiana State University GEMS group:

  1) The molecular diversity, biogeography, and metabolic capabilities of Epsilonproteobacteria
      (Epsilonproteobacteria Project link);
  2) Subsurface (cave and groundwater) microbial diversity and biogeography, and the geochemical and  
      geologic consequences of subsurface microbes (Lower Kane Cave Research & Edwards Aquifer
      Project)
  3) Hot spring geomicrobiology and adaptations to extreme environments (e.g., UV, arsenic,
      high temperature) (El Tatio Hot Spring Research link);
  4) Microbial transformations in coupled carbon and sulfur nutrient cycles and the preservation of microbial
      carbon and sulfur signatures through geologic history; 
  5) Molecular diversity, biogeography, and biogeochemical contributions of bacterial symbiotic
      associations (Lucinid Endosymbiont Project link).

HOT LINKS: Click an image above for more information.

Research in GEMS group funded by:

Please contact Dr. Annette Engel for more information regarding the research or photographs. Call (225) 578-2469 or email.
Address: Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.   
©AS Engel2008