Asim K. Bej

Ph. D. (Molecular Genetics), 1988, University of Louisville

Microbial Molecular Genetics

Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-1170

Phone: (205) 934-9857 | | | FAX: (205) 975-6097 | | | E-Mail: abej@uab.edu

Research Description:

The research interest in my laboratory is the use of molecular approaches to study gene expression and regulation in prokaryotes. Currently we are pursuing, but are not limited to, the following areas of investigation.

Rapid detection of microbial pathogens using nucleic acid- or peptide-based technologies is a fast-growing area in microbiology, used effectively for the protection of human health. Our research in this area includes the development of real-time PCR for identification of microbial pathogens, primarily Vibrio spp. in food and water samples, offering a better means for early and accurate assessment for the presence of these pathogens, leading to the reduction of disease incidence and outbreaks. As part of the quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) project, an Internal Amplification Control (IAC) targeting candidate genes from microbial pathogens is being developed. In addition to the qPCR, we are utilizing phage-displayed peptide technology for identification of novel peptides to be used as biosensors for "intact cell" detection, identification of reactive cell-surface proteins and their immunogenicity. For the detection of multiple microbial pathogens, we are using an oligonucleotide microarray targeting species-specific as well as pathogenic determinant genes. Our current goal is to develop a portable microarray system that would enable users to perform diagnostic tests in the field environment.

Microbial community composition and their adaptation to Antarctic cold and subzero temperature environments is a research interest in my laboratory. To address this area of investigation, we are developing qPCR to study biodegradative microbial communities in Antarctic soils targeting gyrB and rpoB. In addition, structure, expression and regulation of "cold-adaptive" or "antifreeze" proteins in biodegradative Antarctic psychrotolerant microorganisms are currently being investigated.

As an extension of this research investigation, we have been engineering biodegradative microorganisms (GEMs) with built-in self-destruct (conditional lethal) genetic cassettes as an effective containment system for these GEMs. Bacterial lethal genes and their "protective" counterparts are cloned in genetic cassettes under the control of biodegradative promoter-regulatory DNA segments. These genetic cassettes are then placed in biodegradative microorganisms as an active containment system. These GEMs survive and convert hydrocarbon compounds to relatively non-harmful products. Following degradation of the hydrocarbon compounds, these microorganisms undergo self-destruction. This model is being tested in Antarctic psychrotolerant biodegradative microorgansisms in the laboratory set-up with the objective that these GEMs can be used for bioremediation without causing any adverse effects on the environment.

Representative Publications:

L.N. Ward and A.K. Bej. 2006. Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish by use of multiplexed real-time PCR with TaqMan fluorescent probes. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 72:2031-2042.

A. V. Rizvi, G. Panicker, M.L. Myers, A.K. Bej. 2006. Detection of pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3:K6 serovar in Gulf of Mexico water and shellfish using real-time PCR with Taqman fluorescent probes. FEMS Microbiology Letters 262:185-192.

G. Panicker, J. Aislabie, A.K. Bej. 2006. Analysis of Aggregative behavior of Pseudomonas sp. 30-3 isolated from Antarctic soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 38:3152-3157.

G. Panicker and A.K. Bej. 2005. Real-time PCR detection of Vibrio vulnificus in oysters: comparison of oligonucleotide primers and probes targeting vvhA. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 71:5702-5709.

E.V. Pikuta, D. Marsic, A. Bej, J. Tang, P. Krader, R.B. Hoover. 2005. Carnobacterium pleistocenium sp. nov., a novel psychrotolerant, facultative anaerobe isolated from permafrost of the Fox Tunnel in Alaska. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 55: 473−478.

G. Panicker, D.R. Call, M.L. Krug, A.K. Bej. 2004. Detection of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in shellfish using multiplexed PCR and DNA-microarray. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 70:7436−7444.

G. Panicker, M. Vickery, A.K. Bej. 2004. Multiplex PCR detection of clinical and environmental strains of Vibrio vulnificus in shellfish. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 50:911−922.

E.V. Pikuta, R.B. Hoover, A.K. Bej, D. Marsic, E.N. Detkova, W.B. Whitman, P. Krader. 2003. Tindallia californiensis sp. nov., a new anaerobic, haloalkaliphilic, sporeforming acetogen isolated from soda Mono Lake in California. Extremophiles 7:327-334.

G. Panicker, J. Aislabie, D. Saul, A.K.Bej. 2002. Cold tolerance of Pseudomonas sp. 30-3 isolated from oil-contaminated soil, Antarctica. Polar Biology 25:5-11.

A.K.Bej, D. Saul, J. Aislabie. 2000. Cold tolerance of alkane-degrading bacteria isolated from soil near Scott Base, Antarctica. Polar Biology 23:100-105.

S. Molin, L. Boe, L.B. Jensen, C.S. Kristensen, M. Givskov, J.L. Ramos, and A. K. Bej. 1993. Suicidal Genetic Elements and Their Use in Biological Containment of Bacteria. Annual Reviews in Microbiology 47:139-166.

 

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