Degree Program of
Bacteriology

Faculty Supervisor:
Dr. Glenn Chambliss 

Current Employment
Diagnostic Microbiologist USGS National Wildlife Health Center

Doctoral Research
David Blehert studies the biological degradation of the explosive compound, nitroglycerin (NG). Towards that aim, his laboratory has isolated and characterized in vivo nitroglycerin degradation by six strains of bacteria. Further, they have purified a flavoprotein oxidoreductase from one of the isolates that denitrates nitroglycerin to isomers of dinitroglycerin in vitro. Biochemical characterizations of the oxidoreductase have demonstrated that the enzyme has nitroreductase activity with the substrate nitroglycerin, as well as with several nitroaromatic compounds. By cloning the gene that encodes that oxidoreductase, they hope to identify the enzyme. Their work towards gaining a more complete understanding of the biological mechanism of NG degradation may prove useful for the development of bioremediation strategies to rehabilitate munitions manufacturing sites.

Publications
Blehert, D. S.; Becker, K.; Chambliss, G.H.
Isolation and characterization of bacteria that degrade nitroglycerin. Proc. Tri-Service Environ. Technol. Workshop. Hershey, PA. May 20-22, 1996.

Blehert, D. S.; Chambliss, G. H. Bacterial Degradation of Nitroglycerin. ASM Abstract #3308.

Blehert, D. S. ; Knoke, K. L. ; Fox, B. G. ; Chambliss, G. H. Regioselectivity of nitroglycerin denitration by flavoprotein nitroester reductases purified from two pseudomonas species. Journal of Bacteriology. 179(22):6912-6920, 1997 Nov.

Blehert, D. S. ; Fox, B. G. ; Chambliss, G. H.
Cloning and sequence analysis of two pseudomonas flavoprotein xenobiotic reductases. Journal of Bacteriology. 181(20):6254-6263, 1999 Oct

Resume
PDF Format of  David Blehert's Resume

Abstract
PDF Format of David Blehert's Abstract

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last updated: September 19, 2007