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Elias Research Lab

   Evolution
         ENGINEERING &                       STRUCTURAL Biology

Research Projects

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Microbes are capable of thriving in most extreme conditions, including high temperature, acidity, high pressure, radiation, dessication, or poisonous environments. We focus on the molecular mechanisms and determinants that allow for their extreme adaptability.

Numerous ions are both essential for Life and limiting in natural environments. We investigate the elaborated molecular strategies utilized by microbes to scavenge these essential nutrients from depleted environments while excluding potentially toxic competitors.

Bacteria are using chemical signalling to exchange information and coordinate behaviors. We develop molecular tools to hijack this communication and study this information flux. This is a promising way to address microbial resistance.

PROJECTS
ABOUT
Mountainous Landscape

THE STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL

Deciphering the molecular determinants accounting for the adaptability of extremophiles.

Test Tubes

ABOUT

Biological macromolecules comprise fantastic objects with nearly unlimited activities and potentialities. Their use in biotechnology has already changed several segments of industry including the detergents, paper industries, the food industry (e.g. sugar), and is expected to revolutionize the medical industry.

Our Lab aims to decipher the mechanisms by which those molecules evolve, to understand the molecular basis of their biological functions, and to develop new methods for their engineering, with the aim of developing soft, ecological solutions to current or emerging society issues. The current methods used in the Lab are spanning from molecular biology and microbiology, to protein engineering, structural biology and bioinformatics.

Concepts & Methods

Contact

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
We are currently seeking new students and a graduate student. Learn more
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Inquiries

For any inquiries, or questions, please call: 612-626-9741 or fill out the following form

Elias Lab

Elias Lab
BioTechnology Institute
1479 Gortner Avenue
158 Gortner Laboratory
St. Paul, MN 55108

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Lab

158 Gortner Lab
Phone: 612-626-9741

Email: ​mhelias@umn.edu

Office

158a Gortner Lab
Phone: 612-626-1915

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CONTACT
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