Christian Klatt

Montana State University - Bozeman
Dept. of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences
Graduate Student

Christian Klatt
Room 627 - Leon Johnson Hall
Montana State University
(406) 994-3412
cklatt@montana.edu

Degree In Progress:

Degree:	Ph.D. Ecology and Environmental Science
Thesis Title	Structural and Functional Dynamics of Anoxygenic Phototrophs Inhabiting Alkaline Siliceous Hot Spring Microbial Mats
Abstract:	The filamentous anoxygenic phototrophs (FAPs) of the Bacterial family Chloroflexaceae are dominant members of the microbial communities of alkaline siliceous hot spring microbial mats in Yellowstone National Park. The model organism of this group, Chloroflexus aurantiacus, has the capability of fixing carbon using a unique autotrophic pathway known as the 3-hydroxypropionate pathway. Metagenomic and in situ physiological studies are being used to explore whether the resident Chloroflexaceae in these mats are capable of using this autotrophic pathway in order to understand their relavance in the carbon cycling dynamics of the mat ecosystem.
Major Advisor(s):	Dr. David M. Ward

Funding Source:

NSF IGERT Fellowship, NASA Exobiology, Thermal Biology Institute

Education:

Degree:	B.ChE. (Chemical Engineering)
Where:	University of Minnesota
Thesis Title:	Aerobic biological treatment of synthetic municipal wastewater in membrane-coupled bioreactors
Abstract:	A membrane-coupled bioreactor was studied for wastewater treatment efficiency. The microbial community was explored in terms of their structural and functional relationships by analyzing extracellular enzymatic activity and population dynamics characterized by PCR-DGGE analysis of 16S rRNA over time.
Major Advisor(s):	Dr. Timothy LaPara

Refereed Publications:

Bryant, DA, AM Garcia Costas, JA Maresca, AGM Chew, CG Klatt, MM Bateson, LJ Tallon, J Hostetler, WC Nelson, JF Heidelberg, and DM Ward. (2007) Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum: An aerobic phototrophic acidobacterium. Science 317: 523-526. (PDF) (Supplemental)
Klatt, C.G., D.A. Bryant, and D.M. Ward. (2007) Comparative genomics provides evidence for the 3-hydroxypropionate autotrophic pathway in filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria and in hot spring microbial mats. Environ Microbiol 9: 2067-2078. (PDF)
LaPara, T.M., C.G. Klatt, and R. Chen. (2006) Adaptations in bacterial catabolic enzyme activity and community structure in membrane-coupled bioreactors fed simple synthetic wastewater. J Biotechnol 121: 368-380. (PDF)
Klatt, C.G., and T.M. LaPara. (2003) Aerobic biological treatment of synthetic municipal wastewater in membrane-coupled bioreactors. Biotechnol Bioeng 82(3): 313-20. (PDF)

Abstracts & Proceedings-

Klatt, C.G.*, D.A. Bryant, J. Heidelberg, A.S. Steunou, and D.M. Ward. (2007) Comparative genomic and metagenomic analyses of autotrophic pathways in filamentous anoxygenic phototrophs inhabiting hot spring microbial mats. Poster, American Society of Microbiology General Meeting, Toronto. *Presenter
LaPara TM, CG Klatt* (2002) Presentation, American Society of Microbiology North Central Branch Meeting, Minneapolis MN. *Presenter

Areas of Concentrations:

Microbial ecology, community structure and function relationships, nutrient cycling

Hobbies:

Date: March 25, 2008