MnDRIVE Stories
Research stories from the MnDRIVE Environment Initiative.
Modeling microbial complexity
Will Harcombe combines experimental and computational models to decode complex microbial interactions.
Mapping uncertainty
Can gene regulatory networks help scientists predict cell behavior and improve therapeutics for cancer and other diseases?
Enzyme advances promise to boost the bioeconomy
Enzyme advances promise to boost the bioeconomy Enzyme technology symposium brings together researchers from North America and Japan working on cutting-edge applications. By Stephanie Xenos Around 85 researchers and industry partners involved in developing new...
Undercover Operative: Environmental Microbiologist Infiltrates the World of Human Microbiome Research
BTI Researcher Christopher Staley uses an ecology framework to tackle the human microbiome and its intricate secrets.
Q&A with BTI Director Claudia Schmidt-Dannert
As the BioTechnology Institute’s new director, longtime faculty member Claudia Schmidt-Dannert aims to plant the institute firmly on the front lines of emerging needs and opportunities.
Synthetic Cells and Biofactories
Kate Adamala and the Build-a-Cell consortium look to synthetic biology for insight into the origins of life and a source for vital raw materials.
The DNA Solution
The exploding yeast and fluorescent fish are interesting, for sure. But for Michael Smanski, the real attraction of synthetic biology is the chance to work at the cusp of a new era in biology—one that holds promise for improving food production, medical care, climate change adaptation, pollution cleanup and more.
Building New Metabolic Pathways
Microbes are nothing if not industrious. The metabolic pathways (linked series of chemical reactions) in these tiny organisms lead them to crank out a wide variety of molecules for all sorts of purposes — and that’s what has Mike Freeman’s attention.
A Helpful Fungus Among Us
Some experts estimate that there are over two million species of fungi living on Earth today. Excellent scavengers and nutrient recyclers, many fungi also gather materials from their surroundings and can even capture and store environmental contaminants.
Tapping the Talents of Enzymes
BTI researchers are working to discover, understand, and improve our ability to enlist the help of molecules that catalyze life.
Understanding a Toxic Necessity
Jannell Bazurto, assistant professor of Plant and Microbial Biology at the University of Minnesota, is pursuing a better understanding of formaldehyde, a chemical that is carcinogenic, toxic, and produced by all living things.
The Fight for Safer Food
To confront the threat of persistent foodborne pathogens, Steve Bowden turns to novel techniques.
A Micro Lens on a Macroscopic Question
A Q&A with PhD Candidate Anna Bennett
Synthesizing Sustainability
UMN scientists produce high-value beta-lactones from waste for use in antibiotic and anti-cancer therapies.
Engineering a self-cleaning environment
UMN researchers create self-cleaning Biohubs to mitigate the impact of pollutants in Minnesota’s waterways
Minnesota Lakes in Peril
UMN researchers use DNA technology to track fecal contamination in Minnesota waters
Saving Little Brown Myotis
Can native microbes help protect Minnesota’s bat population from the deadly white-nose bat syndrome?