Hi, I’m Daiza Norman. I am a Biotechnology Research Assistant at the BIT program and I am a biological science major with a concentration in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.
I have worked on many Delftia related projects with the BIT program. I have worked on projects such as the “Where’s Delftia?” project. In addition, I did research on the Delftibactin production of multiple strains of Delftia under different conditions. Here’s the primers I made for the project!
During my free time I like to listen to audiobooks and jog. My favorite audiobook is Dawn by Octavia Butler.
1) What do you find most interesting about Delftia?
Delftia acidovorans (strain DSM 14801 / SPH-1) has the ability to break down 2-(4-sulfophenyl)butyrate (SPB) which is a highly explosive organic compound and a common pollutant in many environments (Schleck et al. 2014). This means that the bacterium can be used in bioremediation because it can break down this pollutant. Bioremediation is when you use microorganisms to breakdown pollutants in the environment. Harmful pollutants such as SPB can be devastating to our environment and it is important for us to find a way to remove these chemicals from the environment.
2) What do you enjoy most in your research/past responsibilities?
I enjoy getting other students excited about science and involved in research. I also love working with a team to do research and develop ideas for new projects. I have met a lot of interesting and driven people during my time as a researcher.
3) What research would you like to see or do in the future?
In the future, I would like to do research on delftibactin’s capabilities for gold recycling. In the future, delftibactin could be used to recycle gold from electronic waste. When I graduate from college I plan to pursue a career in the biomanufacturing industry and work in an upstream lab. If delftibactin were used for gold recycling, the process of growing Delftia acidovorans and extracting the protein would need to be done in an upstream lab.
Schleheck, D., Knepper, T. P., Fischer, K., & Cook, A. M. (2004). Mineralization of individual congeners of linear alkylbenzenesulfonate by defined pairs of heterotrophic bacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 70(7), 4053-4063.