Professor Lindsay Sly, BSc (Hons) PhD FASM FAIBiol FQA    Honorary Research Consultant

	Biography

Microbial biodiversity, ecology and biotechnology.

In my research laboratory we are passionate about exploring microbial biodiversity - the last frontier of unexplored biodiversity. We are interested in understanding the evolution and genetic diversity of bacteria, their ecology in natural and industrial environments, and their potential for exploitation in biotechnologies. The research is concerned with:

Industrial Biotechnology.

We are interested in studying novel bacteria, their interactions, their physiological diversity and the genetic basis of its regulation in natural microbial communities.

Current research projects involve the microbial ecology of environments such as soil, water, water distribution system biofilms, plant surfaces and rhizospheres, constructed wetlands, mineral ore leaching communities, and the development of fluidised biofilm reactors for water treatment, metal recovery, and biofilters for the bioremediation of methane and other pollutants in air.

We are developing molecular fingerprinting methods for monitoring microbial species in mixed microbial communities for the assessment of water quality, river health, soil health, bioremediation and biomining.

We are studying the enzymology and molecular biology of bacterial manganese oxidation and have developed the BMnR biotechnology process using immobilised manganese-oxidising bacteria for the treatment of manganese, heavy metals and radionuclides in water and wastewater.

	Links
	Personal, Australian Collection of Microorganisms

	Keywords
	Science and Technology: Microbiology, Science and Technology: Bacteriology, Science and Technology: Biodiversity, Medical: Biosystematics, Medical: Biological Resources, Other: Reference Materials, Science and Technology: Microbial Processes, Science and Technology: Microbial Degradation, Science and Technology: Molecular Biology, Science and Technology: Biogeochemistry, Science and Technology: Biofouling, Medical: Biotechnology, Science and Technology: Bioremediation, Engineering: Water Treatment, Engineering: Water Quality, Medical: Safety, Social Sciences: Bioterrorism