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Douglas Eveleigh Douglas Eveleigh
Professor, Fenton and Eveleigh Chair
 Biochemistry and Microbiology
Lipman 328
76 Lipman Drive
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 732-932-9763 x328
Fax: 732-932-8965
Email: eveleigh@aesop.rutgers.edu
Website: aesop.rutgers.edu/~dbm/dougeveleigh.html

Expertise Summary
  The central thrust of our research is to understand the role, mechanism and application of microbial polysaccharases. As cellulose and xylan form the world's major organic materials - both plant structural supports and potential energy resources - our focus is to characterize the multi-component cellulase and xylanase systems: from fungi (Trichoderma), thermophilic actinomycetes (Microbispora) and hyperthermophilic bacteria (Thermotoga). The polysaccharases are characterized from microbiological, biochemical and molecular biological perspectives. The cellulases of Thermotoga neapolitana are of interest for their thermal stability, acting optimally near the boiling point of water, and having extremely high specific activity - over 1000 for one carboxymethylcellulase as a substrate.

In studying the transformation of xylan, we have recently uncovered a xylan utilization gene cluster from the ocean vent, hyperthermophile Thermotoga. Chitin is a further substrate of interest. We are also studying the polysaccharases from Yellowstone hyperthermophiles - Fervidobacterium. These fundamental studies of hyperthermophilic polysaccharases lead to a consideration of industrial applications, for instance the use of the stable, highly active T. neapolitana alpha-galactosidase to degrade the flatulence causing oligosaccharide present in soy products - of importance with regard to the feed of monogastric animals.

Overall we consider that the recycling of biomass as an energy resource - its conversion to sugars and subsequent fermentation to alcohol as a transportation fuel - will help stabilize the Greenhouse effect through the recycling of carbon dioxide. Our studies yield basic understanding of this concept. Ironically, cellulolytic microbes are also a nuisance in promoting the deterioration of manuscripts, maps, paintings and are of particular concern in the destruction of antique artefacts. This aspect of cellulolysis is also being explored.

Research Projects
  • Bringing the Development of Rutgers Antibiotics Alive

    • Selected Publications
    Cloning and characterization of the glucooligosaccharide catabolic pathway beta-glucan glucohydrolase and cellobiose phosphorylase in the marine hyperthermophile Thermotoga neapolitana.
      Journal: J. Bacteriology
     Authors: Yernool, D. A., J.K. McCarthy and D. E. Eveleigh
    Volume: 182    Pages: 5174-5179
    Thermostable cellulases CelA and CelB from Thermotoga neapolitana: purification, characterization and molecular analysis.
      Journal: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.
     Authors: Bok, J. , D. Yernool and D. Eveleigh
    Volume: 64    Pages: 4774-4781

     

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