The Arkin laboratory for systems and synthetic biology seeks to uncover the evolutionary design principles of cellular networks and populations and to exploit them for applications. To do so they are developing a framework to effectively combine comparative functional genomics, quantitative measurement of cellular dynamics, biophysical modeling of cellular networks, and cellular circuit design to ultimately facilitate applications in health, the environment, and bioenergy. We lead three major projects: The Ecosystems and Networks Integrated with Genes and Molecular Assemblies (ENIGMA) program which seek to advance a predictive, mechanistic understanding of microbial biology and the impact of microbial communities on their ecosystems; The DOE Systems Biology Knowledgebase (KBase) is a software and data science platform designed to meet the grand challenge of transparent, reusable, reproducible systems biology: predicting and designing biological function; and the Center for Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES) which aims to create a high efficiency sustainable and regenerable biomanufacturing platform for functional food, pharmaceuticals and materials for prolonged deep space missions.

Dr. Matthew Fields is a professor in the Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology and also serves as Director of the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University. Biofilms impact both applied and fundamental aspects of biology and engineering and require multi-disciplinary approaches in both research and education. The Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) is a center of excellence for research, education, and outreach; where students work with faculty and researchers in an interdisciplinary environment addressing both fundamental and applied questions in biofilm science. He also serves on BERAC for the U.S. Department of Energy to provide guidance on biological and environmental research important to the U.S. DOE. His laboratory uses molecular ecology and physiology to study microbial communities associated with different environments.

Dr. Sen Subramanian is currently Professor and Graduate program coordinator in the Department of Agronomy, horticulture and plant science at South Dakota State University. His lab is interested in plant-microbe interactions in particular understanding hormone regulation during soybean root nodule development. Prior to his current position, he was a post-doctoral associate at the Danforth Plant Science center in St Louis MO working with Dr. Oliver Yu. He obtained his PhD degree from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology working with Dr. Chris Rock.

Dr. Stoodley's lab has shown that surgical site infection from bacterial biofilms is a major complication associated with all medical devices including orthopaedic implants, catheters, and sutures and meshes. Dr. Stoodley's lab has also shown that dental plaque biofilms are a leading cause of caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. Biofilms also grow on industrial surfaces such as ship hulls and pipelines, where they increase drag, cause corrosion and can contaminate product. If bacteria are allowed to contact with surfaces biofilms are extremely difficult to prevent and treat and remain a major healthcare and industrial challenge. The research goal of the Stoodley lab is to identify key processes involved in biofilm development and persistence on the lab bench and in clinical and industrial settings, with the applied aim of improved prevention, diagnostic and treatment strategies.

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