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Alan W.
Decho M.Sc., Ph. D.
Public Health Research Center (PHRC), 509A
Secondary Address: Phone: (803) 777-6584
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| Biographical Information: 2002: PROFESSOR, Environmental Health Sciences, USC 1998: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, Environmental Health Sciences, USC 1995: Associate Faculty, School of the Environment, USC 1994: Associate Faculty, Marine Sciences Program, USC 1994: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Environmental Health Sciences, USC 1989-93: Post-doctoral researcher, USGS, Menlo Park, Calif. 1988-92: Post-Doctoral researcher: Marine Sciences, SUNY- Stony Brook, NY 1987-88: Post-Doctoral researcher, CSIRO Marine Laboratories, Queensland, Australia HONORS AND AWARDS 2003: Recipient, USC Educational Foundation Research Award for Health Sciences (University-wide Competition) 1999: Recipient, USC School of Public Health Research Award (School-wide Compeition); 1989: National Research Council (NRC) Post-Doctoral Fellow; 1987: Fulbright Hays Post-Doctoral Scholar - AUSTRALIA |
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Interest:
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| Research: Dr. Decho's laboratory researches attached microbial communities, called "BIOFILMS". Biofilms occur when bacteria and/or other microbes attach to surfaces and surround themselves with protective extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Cells then begin communicating with each other, coordinate expression of certain genes, and organizing their activities. These properties make the biofilm a 'resilient refugia' for bacteria; one that is able to resist natural stressors, and most antimicrobial agents. Biofilm formation is important to the fundamental functioning of natural systems, but is also a significant problem in engineered systems and biomedical processes (e.g. hospital-acquired infections and persistent infections, biofouling of implant devices, cancer and engineered drug delivery). FIVE SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: (total: 72) Ferry JL., P Craig, C Hexel, P Sisco, R Frey, PL Pennington, MH Fulton, IG Scott, AW Decho, S Kashiwada, CJ Murphy, TJ Shaw (2009). Transfer of gold nanoparticles from the water column to the estuarine food web. Nature Nanotechnology 4:441-444. Decho AW, PT Visscher, J Ferry, T Kawaguchi, L He, KM Przekop, RS Norman, RP Reid (2009) Autoinducers extracted from microbial mats reveal a surprising diversity of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) and abundance changes that may relate to diel pH. Environmental Microbiology 11:409-420. Decho AW, T Kawaguchi, M Allison, E Louchard, RP Reid, C Stephens, KJ Voss, RA Wheatcroft, BB Taylor (2003) Sediment properties influencing upwelling spectral reflectance signatures: the “biofilm gel effect”. Limnology and Oceanography 48:431-443. Reid RP, PT Visscher, AW Decho, et al. (2000) The role of microbes in accretion, lamination, and early lithification of modern marine stromatolites. Nature 406: 989-992. Decho AW & T Kawaguchi (1999) Confocal Imaging of in situ natural microbial communities and their extracellular polymers (EPS) using nanoplast resin. BioTechniques 27:1246-1252. Decho AW (1990) Microbial exopolymer secretions in ocean environments: Their role(s) in food webs and marine processes. Oceanography & Marine Biology Annual Review 28:73-154. |
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| Courses Taught: Analytical Concepts (ENHS 787) Biofilms in the Environment and Disease (ENHS 665) Microbial Processes and Pollution (ENHS 770) |
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| Columbia, SC 29208 • 803-777-5032 • sphweb@gwm.sc.edu | © University of South Carolina Board of Trustees |