Physiology and genetics of methylotrophic bacteria. We use systems biology approaches along with classical genetic and biochemical techniques to understand the metabolic capabilities of Methylobacterium extorquens to advance our engineering efforts in the biomining and biorecycling of rare-earth elements and the production of biodegradable plastics.

Martinez-Gomez NC, Vu HN, Skovran E. 2016. Lanthanide chemistry: From coordination in chemical complexes shaping our technology to coordination in enzymes shaping bacterial metabolism. Inorg Chem. In press. Good NM, Vu HN, Suriano CJ, Subuyuj, GA, Skovran E, Martinez-Gomez, NC. 2016. Pyrroloquinoline quinone-containing ethanol dehydrogenase in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 extends lanthanide-dependent metabolism to multi-carbon substrates. J. Bacteriol. In press. Vu HN, Subuyuj GA, Vijayakumar S, Good NM, Martinez-Gomez, NC, Skovran E. 2016. Lanthanide dependent regulation of methanol oxidation systems in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 and their contribution to methanol growth. J. Bacteriol. 198:1250-9. Skovran E, Martinez-Gomez NC. 2015. Just add Lanthanides. Science. 348:862-3.