the drinking water microbiome

 The drinking water microbiome is shaped by treatment and distribution practices which are geared towards elimination of microorganisms. Yet, tap water can have millions of microbial cells and hundreds of microbial species in every liter.  Can we re-imagine our water infrastructure and management practices to engineer the membership (who is present) and structure (how much) of the drinking water microbiome at our taps? 

Time-series observations

We use a  time-series framework combined with integrated 'omics to obtain mechanistic information about microbial metabolism and interspecies interactions. Quantitative understanding of the ecology of the drinking water microbiome will enable development of models to predict their spatial-temporal dynamics.

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Model community

Aerobic nitrification is an important biological process in engineered water systems, including drinking water systems. Aerobic nitrifiers can also serve as an ideal model community to investigate ecological processes governing microbial community assembly.

Designing microbiomes

Desigining  the microbial community on filters is a rational strategy for managing consumer exposure to drinking water microbes. Our approach is to  develop metabolic model informed process strategies to actively shape the structure and function of microorganisms in biofiltration systems.

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Cataloguing membership 

We are developing a genomic catalogue of microorganisms observed in drinking water systems and their metabolic potentials. This will enable an improved understanding of the impact of drinking water microbes on infrastructure and health.

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low cost real-time microbiome characterization

Microbiome data acquisition is a multi-stage process with advanced expertise and infrastructure requirements which limits routine use (e.g., process monitoring and control, diagnostics) and also slows the process of scientific discovery. Can we get more  (even if noisy) data rapidly and cheaply to characterize microbial communities? Can we leverage developments in frugal science to minimize infrastructure and expertise requirements?

Optical sensing

We are developing low cost autonomous systems for real-time imaging of microorganisms in aquatic samples. Our current focus in on algal monitoring in microalgal cultivation systems and harmful algal blooms.

Nanopore sequencing

 We are developing assays for targeted and non-targeted characterization of microbial communities in the engineered water cycle. Out goal is to develop workflows that can be carried out by non-expert users that can provide interpretable and actionable microbiological information to the end user (e.g., water utility operators)

our research is supported by