SKOVRANLAB

The Skovran laboratory focuses on understanding the metabolism and physiology of methylotrophic bacteria to advance our engineering efforts in the biomining and biorecycling of lanthanide elements (rare earths) and the production of biodegradable plastics... Methylotrophic bacteria are important for global carbon cycling and are capable of growing on single-carbon compounds like methane, methanol and methylated amines. Recently, methylotrophs gained recognition for being the only KNOWN forms of life that inherently use lanthanides for growth. Lanthanides are important for our modern lifestyles and technologies. They are found in our computers, cell phones, cars, wind turbines, and military weaponry just to name a few. Currently the U.S. imports most of its lanthanides because lanthanide mining is environmentally destructive. Mining often involves roasting the ores in acid, followed by solvent extractions which release radioactive byproducts. Cost and demand for lanthanides continue to..

Primary location: San Jose United States