Phosphorus cycling in the environment has long been accepted to consist only of the movement of organic and inorganic phosphates through the biosphere. However, due to the discovery of numerous environmental bacteria that are capable of performing the oxidation of reduced phosphorus compounds for use as a sole phosphorus source, and of the reduction of phosphorus in the biosynthesis of reduced phosphorus antibiotics, it is clear that P cycling and biochemistry are more complex than previously believed.  Bacterial-mediated oxidation and reduction of this essential element does indeed seem to occur, yet little is known of these processes. I am interested in understanding the mechanisms of bacterial oxidation of reduced P compounds by environmental bacteria and in investigating how these processes affect P bioavailability and bacterial communities.
 
Current Research:
Undergraduate students have recently isolated three previously uncharacterized bacterial isolates that grow on hypophosphite as the sole source of phosphorus, and therefore must be able to oxidize this compound to the required phosphate. We are currently characterizing hypophosphite oxidation pathways in these bacteria.