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Biography RCUK Academic Fellow (July 2005 - present) University of Glasgow.
Research Associate (March 2004 – June 2005) University of Guelph, Canada.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (March 2001 – Feb 2004) University of Toronto, Canada.
Ph.D. (1997-2001) University of Leeds, UK.
M.Sc. Geochemistry (1996-1997) University of Leeds, UK.
Research and Development (1995-1996) Ayton Products Ltd, UK.
B.Sc.(Hons) Geology (1992-1995) University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK. Research interests Microbial Geochemistry
Bacteria are ubiquitous, occurring in almost any environment where there is sufficient water for their survival. Due to their abundance, they can have a considerable impact on the cycling of elements in the water-rock environment.
I am particularly interested in studying the role of the bacterial surface as a reactive interface. Adsorption of metal cations by the cell surface can significantly mediate the transport and fate of metals in aqueous systems and the cell surface can act as a nucleation site for mineral precipitation. Furthermore, dissolution of minerals by bacteria can require contact between cell and mineral surfaces. It is therefore pertinent to quantify how the cell surface mediates these processes. These studies can also reveal insights into fossilization of microorganisms
Exobiology
The question of how life evolved and inhabit our ancient Earth and other planets has fascinated both earth and life scientists alike. Recently this question has gained considerable attention, stimulated in part by the recent exploration of Mars.
To better understand how life survived in these extreme habitats, I utilize modern day environments and laboratory simulations to provide contemporary analogous for these systems. Many modern hot springs provide good analogues for the early Precambrian oceans due to their similarity in chemistry (silica enriched) and biology (dominated by bacteria and cyanobacteria). This work in particular examines the advantages of both microbial silicification and habitation of the silica sinter itself. Most notably, this research has demonstrated the role of amorphous silica as a screen against detrimental solar radiation. These studies help us to understand how the early cyanobacteria (the oxygen producers responsible for our oxic atmosphere) could photosynthesize whilst avoiding the catastrophic levels of UV which were present in the early Precambrian.
Probing biomineralization processes using Synchrotron based FTIR
Synchrotron-based Fourier-transform infrared (SR-FTIR) micro-spectroscopy can provide in situ and in vivo details of the response of organic and inorganic structures of living microorganisms to environmental stimuli. In a recent collaboration I used SR-FTIR analysis of laboratory silicified cells to provide insights into both the mechanisms of bacterial silicification and the bacterial response to silicification. Such studies provide insights into the biomineralization process, applicable to environments such as modern hot-springs and the Precambrian oceans. Recent publications | View all publications >> Konhauser, K.O., Phoenix, V.R. and Lalonde, S.V. 2008. Bacterial biomineralization: Where to from here? Geobiology v.6, 298-302. doi:10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00151.x >> Phoenix V.R. and Holmes W.M. 2008. Magnetic resonance imaging of structure, diffusivity, and copper immobilization in a phototrophic biofilm. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v. 74, 4934-4943. doi:10.1128/AEM.02783-07 >> Phoenix, V.R. and Konhauser, K.O. 2008. Benefits of bacterial biomineralization. Geobiology v.6, 303-308. doi:10.1111/j.1472-4669.2008.00147.x >> Phoenix, V.R., Holmes, W.M. and Ramanan, B. 2008. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of heavy-metal transport and fate in an artificial biofilm. Mineralogical Magazine v.72, 483–486. doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.1.483 >> Phoenix, V.R, Korenevsky, A.A., Ferris, F.G., Gorby, Y.A. and Beveridge, T.J. 2007. Influence of Lippolysaccharide on the surface proton-binding behavior of Shewanella spp. Current Microbiology, v.55 (2), 152-157. doi:10.1007/s00284-007-0077-2 >> Phoenix, V. R., Bennett, P.C., Summers Engel A., Tyler, S. W. and Ferris F.G. 2006. Chilean high-altitude hot spring sinters: a model system for UV screening mechanisms by early Precambrian cyanobacteria. Geobiology. v.4, 15-28. Benning, L.G., Phoenix, V.R. and Mountain. B. W. 2005. Biosilicification: the role of cyanobacteria in silica sinter deposition. In Gadd G.M., Semple, K.T., Lappin-Scott, H.M. (eds) Micro-organisms and Earth Systems – Advances in geomicrobiology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 131-150. Recent research grants | View all grants >> Phoenix V.R. and Holmes W.M. (2009-2010). Opening the black box: Imaging nanoparticle transport with magnetic resonance imaging. £29k (NERC NE/G010269/1). Dorea, C., Pulford, I., Haynes, H. and Phoenix, V.R. (2009-2013) Towards a more rational design for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith (Ph.D. scholarship plus £22,000 research costs). Phoenix V.R. (2009-2011) Bug-free prostheses: Reducing infection risk and improving reliability £8k (EPSRC EP/H024603/1). PI, R. Lunn (Strathclyde), total: £202k. Phoenix V.R. (2009-2013) Bacteriogenic barries to flow, £350k. Part of consortium bid (EPSRC EP/G063699/1). Biogeochemical applications in nuclear decomissioning and waste disposal. PI R.J. Lunn (Strathclyde) £2.1M Phoenix, V. R., Holmes, W. M. and Sloan, W. T. (2009-2011) Magnetic resonance imaging of biofilm mass transport processes with gadolinium tracers. £296k (EPSRC EP/G028443/1). Lee M.R. & Phoenix V.R. (2007-2010) The impact of climate change on weathering in urban environments: prediction and mitigation. NERC/CASE Ph.D. scholarship (NE/F006403/1). Co-Is, C. Kennedy (Historic Scotland) & E. Hyslop (BGS) Phoenix V.R. Holmes W.M & Sloan W.T. (2007-2011). Quantifying Mass Transport in Biofilms with Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith (Ph.D. Scholarship plus £22,000 research costs) Teaching responsibilities Environmental Science (Level 1)
Environmental Earth Science (level 3/4)
Course Co-ordinator: Level 2 Earth Science
Current postgraduate students
Laura Duthie (PhD candidate)
Baheerathan Ramanan (PhD candidate)
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