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Research 
The Coates Lab focuses on environmental microbiology, applied microbiology, and bioremediation. We investigate removal of radioactive toxic metals, carcinogenic petroleum-based hydrocarbon contaminants, and toxic munitions byproducts from the environment. Recently, we identified dominant groups of bacteria that can transform perchlorate wastes into innocuous chloride, isolated and characterized more than 40 such bacteria, and identified the common biochemical pathway and genetic systems involved.

Fields of Research
Microbial Physiology. Environmental microbiology encompassing the fields of bioremediation, alternative energy production, and biogeochemistry.