PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Hodson, Robert E.
Professor and Department Head - Marine Sciences.
Director - School of Marine Programs
Ph.D. 1977, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego.

Current research focuses on defining the environmental and biotic factors which regulate the microbial transformation and degradation of naturally occurring and pollutionally derived lignocelluloses in marine and freshwater environments; development of molecular biological methods for exploring marine microbial ecology at the level of individual cells within natural populations; and the study of fate and environmental effects of toxic substances in aquatic ecosystems.

OtherResearch Interests:

Physiological ecology of marine microorganisms; microbial biogeochemistry; molecular microbial ecology; biochemical adaptations of microorganisms to low nutrient marine environments.

Selected Publications:

• Porter, K.G., P.A. Saunders, K.A. Haberyan, A.E. Macubbin, T.R. Jacobsen and R.E. Hodson. 1966. Linkages between chemical and physical responses and biological populations. Limnology and Oceanography 41(5):1041-1051.
• Sobecky, P.A., M.A. Moran, M. Schell and R.E. Hodson. 1996. Impact of a genetically engineered bacterium with enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity on marine phytoplankton communities. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:6-12.
• Newell, S.Y., M.A. Moran, R.J. Wicks and R.E. Hodson. 1995. Productivities of microbial decomposers during early stages of decomposition of leaves of a freshwater sedge. Freshwater Biology 34:135-148.
• Moran, M.A., L.T. Rutherford and R.E. Hodson. 1995. Evidence for indigenous Streptomyces populations in a marine environment based on a 16S rRNA probe. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:3695-3700.
• Hodson, R.E., W.A. Dustman, R.P. Garg and M.A. Moran. 1995. In situ PCR for visualization of microscale distribution of specific genes and gene products in prokaryotic communities. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:4074-4082.