David Sukovich

E-mail: suko0008@umn.edu

Thesis Advisor: Larry Wackett

Year entered: 2005

Degrees received:
B.A., Biology, Carleton College, Northfield, MN 2004

Thesis research:
Hydrocarbon production is widespread throughout the natural world. Numerous publications report that fungi, algae, and other microorganisms produce hydrocarbons as secondary metabolites. While the biosynthetic intermediates for hydrocarbon production have been deduced for some microorganisms, the genes and proteins involved along with the biological function of hydrocarbon production remains a mystery. Our research goal is to identify the genes involved in alkene production in Micrococcus luteus and related species as well as identify functions for hydrocarbon production in vivo. At the completion of these studies, it is our expectation that we will know the genes involved in alkene production, as well as their DNA sequences and protein functions.

Publications:

• Wackett LP, Frias JA, Seffernick JL, Sukovich DJ, Cameron SM. 2007. Genomic and biochemical studies demonstrating the absence of an alkane-producing phenotype in Vibrio furnissii M1. Appl Environ Microbiol. 73(22): 7192-8.