Fields, Matthew
Professor, Microbiology and Cell Biology;
Director, Center for Biofilm Engineering;
Biofilm Physiology & Ecology Team Leader
Office: 366 Barnard Hall
Specialty: Environmental biofilms
E-mail
The physiology and ecology lab is interested in environmental organisms and biofilms
involved in a variety of processes that include nitrate contamination, heavy metal
reduction, metal corrosion, extremophiles, and bio-energy. Our work is focused on
the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors that mediate control over physiology
and modes of growth, and how signals are sensed and cells respond accordingly in order
to optimize metabolism. We study both monocultures and indigenous microbial communities
to better understand the interrelationships between genomic content and phenotype
at different levels of resolution (i.e., DNA to community), and how these attributes
contribute to stress and survival of biological cells.
Current Projects
- SRB biofilms
- Methanogenic biofilms
- Heavy-metal bioreduction
- Algal biofuels
- Microbial community dynamics
Related Links
Biosketch
Publications (searchable by author)
Courses, Grants, Awards
Laboratory Members
International Standards Task Group
Slideshow: WHY COMPANIES NEED THE CBE
Click on an image to view as a slideshow.
Video: CBE on the urgency of biofilms
Related News
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International biofilm centers launch priority questions exercise MSU News 02/11/2021
MSU receives $3 million NSF grant to support innovative graduate research on extreme microbes MSU News 9/27/2021
MSU receives Murdock grant for biofilm microscope MSU News 04/26/2021
MSU receives $1.5 million for cutting-edge, versatile research equipment MSU News 11/05/2020
MSU team receives $776K grant to develop new, complementary COVID-19 testing method MSU News 10/19/2020
Montana State research expenditures hit record high MSU News 09/02/2020
MSU takes leadership role in summit on minimizing COVID-19 risk in human-built environments MSU News 08/24/2020
Governor Bullock provides Montana University System up to $20 million for COVID-19 preparations MSU News 08/06/2020
MSU researchers ramp up $6 million project seeking solutions to biofilm corrosion MSU News 01/20/2020
MSU researchers use 3-D printing to push knowledge of microbial communities MSU News 05/22/2019
MSU algae research could make biofuel production more economical MSU News 02/12/2019
MSU records yet another strong year for research MSU News 09/14/2018
MSU hosts fifth annual conference to help move life-saving products to the marketplace MSU News 02/15/2018
MSU researchers receive $1.8 million to study methane-converting microbes MSU News 10/18/2017
