Microbiology & Biochemistry
The environmental microbiology capability in ANSTO's Institute for Environmental Research focuses on the characterisation of biomolecules and the biogeochemistry of radionuclides and heavy metals in the environment.
Microbial cells or cellular components can be selectively deuterated in our laboratories and isolated for subsequent chemical or structural analysis. The group possesses a high speed centrifuge for harvesting cells, French™ press releasing cell components, programmable ultrasonic processor for breaking cells and for production of monodisperse solutions, preparative ultracentrifuge, and an ultra low temperature freezer for long term storage of labile preparations. The group has expertise in Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) for analysing structure and characteristics of such preparations, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) for chemical identification of biomolecules.