Microbiologists
Complete Genome Sequence of New Bacterial Species
 UH
researchers finished sequencing the genome of a bacterium—a
new species discovered from the Lo‘ihi underwater volcano.
Led by Microbiology Professor Maqsudul
Alam, the research team covered the 2,839,379 "letters" of
the circular chromosome almost 10 times.
According to Alam, that "is well above average for this type of work, and
also means the quality is extremely high." With the microorganism’s
genetic code, a whole new field of research discovering what each of its genes
can do has opened up. Relatives of this new species are valuable for breaking
down many contaminants or binding metals. Also, with the study of bacteria from
the deep sea being a new and growing research field itself, the team hopes their
research may lead to other interesting discoveries, especially in antibiotics
and enzymes. For more information read the press
release.
R&D
Grants Awarded
University Connections awarded the three Accelerated Research Commercialization
grants to Thomas Hemscheidt, Michael
Antal, Jr. and Keith Horton. ARC
funds research and development projects involving UH scientists and local technology
companies.
The following ARC awards were made:
• $47,000 to Hemscheidt, UHM chemistry
department, to work with Hawai‘i Biotech, Inc. to identify bioterrorism
drug candidates from plants and marine algae.
• $62,884 to Antal, Hawai‘i
Natural Energy Institute, to work with Pacific Carbon and Graphite,
LLC to develop a catalytic afterburner for a flash carbonization
unit.
• $36,553 to Horton, Hawai‘i
Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, to work with Innovative
Technical Solutions, Inc. to develop a prototype sensor for measuring
different gases.
For more information about the ARC Grant Program, visit the Web
site or read the press
release.
UH Hilo
in National Spotlight for Big Energy Savings
UH Hilo is participating in a pilot project that encourages state
facilities to incorporate energy savings performance contracting
(ESPC) as a means of financing upgrades. Hilo is 5 years into a
10-year performance contract with energy savings totaling $2.7
million as of June 2001. Energy savings could exceed $6 million
at the end of the project. Hilo’s energy saving program gained
national exposure in the April 2003 National Association of
College and University Business Officer's Magazine.
ESPC arrangements typically call for energy services companies to finance, install
and maintain building improvements with the cost of the retrofits being paid
for through future energy savings realized from those improvements. Hilo retrofitted
50 buildings and upgrades included installing energy efficient lighting systems,
high efficiency chillers and building automation systems to control major air
conditioning units. Read the press
release.
Honolulu
CC Holds Technology Summit
The Pacific Center for Advanced Technology at Honolulu CC presented its first
information technology summit, May 22–23. The two-day event attracted more
than 100 public high school and UH community college information technology administrators,
coordinator and teachers. Break-out sessions on different information technology
programs that are available through Cisco, Microsoft and oracle was presented
by national and regional company trainers.
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