The purpose of my project is to investigate how the response regulator in Pseudomonas putida GB1 controls manganese oxidation. The process of manganese oxidation has significant consequences for microbial energy metabolism, environmental remediation, and bio-geochemical cycles. PputGB1_2453 identified as a possible regulator of Mn oxidation (John Vang’s master’s thesis).

We hypothesize that the PputGB1_2453 response regulator plays a critical role in controlling the activity of manganese-oxidizing enzymes under varied environmental circumstances. The genetic, biochemical, and environmental elements affecting manganese oxidation in P. putida GB1 will be examined in this study. This response regulator is located near other Mn-oxidation genes and we predicted that over-expression results in decreased Mn oxidation.