Professor, Biochemistry

• B.S., 1960, Washington State University
• M.S., 1962, Washington State University
• Ph.D., 1965, University of Illinois
• Postdoctoral, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
  

Research Interests: Enzymology of mixed-function oxidase of liver endoplasmic reticulum; toxicology of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons; role of iron and active oxygen in lipid peroxidation, ischemia, and toxicity; biodegradation of environmental pollutants.

Dr. Aust's research interests are the role of iron in toxicities and the biological degradation of environmental pollutants by white rot fungi. The first project involves studies of iron binding and release by ferritin, especially by free radicals, and the metabolism of iron by ceruloplasmin. Molecular biology techniques are being used to study the heavy and light chains of ferritin and ceruloplasmin and to determine the functions of these proteins for the control of iron levels.

The white rot fungus project involves lignin peroxidases that the fungus produces extracellularly to degrade lignin in wood. This system is also applicable for the biodegradation of a wide variety of otherwise very recalcitrant environmental pollutants.

This page was last updated on November 08, 2000.