Edward "EJ" J. Crane

Professor of Biology; Chair of Biology
  • Expertise

    Expertise

    EJ Crane specializes in exploring alternative forms of microbial respiration, especially those involving sulfur and iron, with a focus on discovering novel modes of respiration in "extreme" environments such as acid hot springs, hot mud volcanoes, and subsurface petroleum reservoirs, as well as in more conventional environments such as deep-sea sediments. He uses techniques from mechanistic enzymology, microbiology and molecular community analysis to understand both the way that anaerobic respiration works and the way that it affects the geology of the earth.

    Research Interests

    Enzymology and microbiology of sulfur-based and other forms of anaerobic respiration in hot subsurface, deep-sea sediment and hot spring environments

    Areas of Expertise

    BIOLOGY

    • Biochemistry
    • Hydrothermal Vent Organisms
    • Hyperthermophiles
    • Sulfur respiration
    • Astrobiology
    • Extreme Environments
    • Deep Sea Microbiology
  • Work

    Work

    With J.A. Boylan, C. Hummel, S. Benoit, J. Garcia-Lara, J. Treglown, and F.C. Gherardini, “Identification of a Coenzyme A Disulfide Reductase from Borrelia Burgdorferi,” Molecular Microbiology 59:475-486, 2006

    With C.S. Hummel and K.M. Lancaster, “Determination of coenzyme A levels in Pyrococcus furiosus and other Archaea: implications for a general role for coenzyme A in thermophiles,” FEMS Microbiological Letters 252:229-234, 2005

    With D.R. Harris, D. E. Ward, J. T. Feasel, K.M. Lancaster, R.D. Murphy, and T.C. Mallet, “Discovery and characterization of a Coenzyme A disulfide reductase from Pyrococcus horikoshii: Implications for the disulfide metabolism of anaerobic hyperthermophiles,” FEBS Journal 272:1189-1200, 2005

    With C. Donnelly, M. Mullendrone, J. van der Oost, and W. de Vos, "The NADH Oxidase from Pyrococcus furiosus: Implications for the Protection of Anaerobic Hyperthermophiles Against Oxidative Stress," European Journal of Biochemistry, 2001

    With J. Yeh, J. Luba and A. Claiborne, "Analysis of the Kinetic and Redox Properties of the NADH Peroxidase R303M Mutant: Correlation with the Crystal Structure," Biochemistry, 39, 10353-10364, 2000

    With A. Claiborne, J. Yeh, T. Mallet, J. Luba, V. Charrier, and D. Parsonage, "Protein Sulfenic Acids: Diverse Roles for an Unlikely Player in Enzyme Catalysis and Redox Regulation," Biochemistry, 38, 15407-15416, 1999

    With D.E. Ward, J. van der Oost, Q. She, and R. Garrett, "Sequence Analysis and Overexpression of Putative NADH Oxidases from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeons Sulfolobus Solfataricus and Pyrrococcus Horikoshii," in Flavins and Flavoproteins 1999 (S. Ghisla, P. Kroneck, P. Macheroux, and H. Sund, eds., Rudolf Weber, 1999)

  • Education

    Education

    2002, Ph.D. Classics and Critical Theory
    University of Washington

    Recent Courses Taught

    • Advanced Biochemistry
    • Biochemistry w/Laboratory
    • Independent Study: Chemistry
    • Lab, Biochemistry
    • Lab, General Chemistry
  • Awards & Honors

    Awards & Honors

    American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund, (PI) $55,000 grant for “Mechanisms of Sulfur Reduction by Sulfur/Polysulfide Reductase,” 2007-2010

    U.S. Department of Energy, Genomes to Life Initiative, (CoPI) “Integrated Genome-Based Studies of Shewanella Ecophysiology, 2007-

    Pomona College, Wig Distinguished Professorship Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2005

    Cottrell College Science Award, Research Corporation; $40,000, (PI) “A mechanistic study of thermophilic NADH oxidases from Pyrococcus: Are thermophilic and mesophilic catalytic structures different?” 2000-02; and $39,036, (PI) “Enzymatic mechanisms of control of internal redox environment in hyperthermophiles, 2003-05

    Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Undergraduate Science Education Program (contributor), 2003-06

    National Science Foundation, Major Research Grant Instrumentation Grant $235,780, (CoPI) “Genomic and Genetic Analysis Research in Molecular Biology at Pomona College, 2003-06

    Salisbury University, Distinguished Faculty Award, 1999; National Institutes of Health, National Research Service Award, 1994-1996; The Johns Hopkins University, Harry D. Kruse Award in Nutrition and Public Health, 1992