J o h n L e i g h L a b
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Email the Director :
John Leigh, Ph.D.
leighj@u.washington.edu
Research : Overview
Much of the lab studies nitrogen regulation. A novel repressor, known only in certain methanogens and a few other Archaea, governs the expression of genes for nitrogen metabolism. How this repressor functions is an area of intense study. Another novel mechanism regulates the activity of nitrogenase, the enzyme that fixes nitrogen. Here is our current model for nitrogen regulation in M. maripaludis:
The lab is also actively involved in global regulation. One project is investigating the role of hydrogen (the electron-donating energy source) in regulating mRNA and protein levels in M. maripaludis. Approaches include continuous culture in chemostats, expression array analysis, and proteomic analysis as well as traditional molecular methods. Continuing genetic tool development is another thrust of the lab.
We are also interested in methanogenic Archaea in the context of Astrobiology. Methanogenesis probably evolved early on earth and is a likely metabolism of any life that might exist on Mars or Europa. Several members of the lab participate in the University of Washington's Astrobiology Program.