Bacteria's internal chemistry to be viewed

WASHINGTON, Aug 29, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Scientists report developing a new way to "image" bacteria's internal chemistry as part of the search for better ways to find and remove soil contaminants.

The collaborative work involving researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University will allow scientists to "see" at the molecular level how soil-dwelling microbes interact with various pollutants.

The method, called spectromicroscopy, might also help scientists better understand and prevent bacterial diseases, or find ways to detect or disable bacteria used in a terror attack, the researchers said.

"The more we learn about soil microbe chemistry, the better we'll be able to predict the movement of contaminants in the environment," said Brookhaven microbiologist Jeffrey Gillow. "What we learn might also suggest new ways to harness microorganisms to immobilize things like heavy metals and radioactive contaminants."

Gillow detailed the new method Monday during the 230th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington.