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Dr. Olivia Harriott

Research in Microbiology

Dr. Olivia HarriottMy research is focused on marine microbial diversity and plant microbiology.  I’m currently characterizing the diversity and functional contributions of bacteria that colonize marine sponges.  I’m also using a genomics approach to study the mutualistic association between the nitrogen-fixing actinomycete Frankia and its host plant.

Courses Taught:

  • BI 71 Identity and the Human Genome
  • BI 151 Elements of Microbiology (non-majors only)
  • BI 352 Fundamentals of Microbiology
  • BI 358 Recombinant DNA Technology
  • BI 386 Bacterial Pathogenesis Seminar (Capstone)
  • BI 395 & 396 Independent Research I & II
  • BI 397 & 398 Internships

Recent Publications:

Hill, M., A. Hill, N. Lopez, & O. Harriott (2006).  Sponge-specific bacterial symbionts of the Caribbean sponge,  Chondrilla nucula (Demospongiae Chondrosida).  Marine Biology 148(6) 1221-1230.
 
Harriott, O. & A. Bourret (2003).  Improving dispersed growth of Frankia using Carbopol.  Plant & Soil 254:69-74.

Harriott, O., *D. Mele & A. Bourret (2001). Use of anionic polymers to facilitate dispersed growth of free-living Frankia. In Abstracts of the 12th International Meeting on Frankia and Actinorhizal Plants, Carry-le-Rouet, France (abstract)

Harriott, O., *D. Mele, A. Bourret & D.R. Benson (2001). J-3, p. 441. Improving the growth of Frankia actinomycetes using anion polymers. In Abstracts of the 101st General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology (abstract)

Harriott, O., *T. Maturo & *J. D. Maw (2000). Sequence analysis of a 28 kb cosmid insert containing the Frankia alni CpI1 nif region. H-135, p. 378. In Abstracts of the 100th General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology (abstract)

M. Hill, O. Harriott & A. Hill (2000). Exploring symbiotic microbial diversity in marine sponges: Using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify 16S rDNA from culturable and unculturable bacteria. ASM Microbe-Library, Curriculum Resources

Harriott, O. T. and A. C. Frazer (1997). Enumeration of acetogens by a colorimetric most-probable-number assay. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:296-300.

* undergraduate student co-authors