Benjamin C. Stark , Ph.D.

Professor of Biology

Office: 182 Life Sciences Building
Office Hours: 8-5, M-F
Phone: 312.567.3488
Fax: 312.567.3494
Email: starkb@iit.edu
Web: click here

Expertise

molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetic engineering of bacteria, bacterial hemoglobin

Education

B.S. Univ. of Michigan, 1971
M.Ph. Yale University, 1974
Ph.D. Yale University, 1977

Curriculum Vitae

Research & Major Accomplishments

Molecular biology, biochemistry and physiology of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin, a novel bacterial hemoglobin; use of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin to genetically engineer improved biochemical properties of diverse bacteria.

Discovery of the first RNA known to be enzymatic; discovery of enhancement of productivity of recombinant organisms engineered to express the bacterial hemoglobin gene

Current Projects

Investigation of functions of bacterial hemoglobin in genetically engineered bacteria
Engineering of useful bacteria using bacterial hemoglobin to improve growth and productivity
Engineering bacteria for improved biodesulfurization of petroleum

Awards/Honors

1968 William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize, Univ. of Michigan
1969,70,71 James B. Angell Scholar, Univ. of Michigan
1970 Phi Beta Kappa, Univ. of Michigan
1971 Bachelor of Science Degree with high distinction and highest honors in Cellular Biology,
1971 The Phi Sigma Award in Biology, Univ. of Michigan
1971-74 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship
1977-78 National Science Foundation Energy-related Postdoctoral Fellowship
1988 Lewis College (IIT) Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
1988 Lewis College (IIT) Teaching Excellence Award
1988 IIT (university-wide) Teaching Excellence Award
1996 William C. Staszak award, Oak Park Education Foundation, Oak Park, IL
1999 Person of the Millennium, IIT Millennium Project

Patents

Books

Selected Publications

Arnaldos, M., S. A. Kunkel, J. Wang, K. R. Pagilla, and B. C. Stark, “Vitreoscilla hemoglobin enhances ethanol production by Escherichia coli in a variety of growth media,” Biomass & Bioenergy (in press).

Stark, B. C., “Bacterial Genetics,” Ency. of Agricult., Food, and Biol. Engin., 2nd Ed., 91-95 (2010).

Sanny, T., M. Arnaldos, S. A. Kunkel, K. R. Pagilla, and B. C. Stark, "Engineering of ethanolic E. coli with the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene enhances ethanol production from both glucose and xylose," Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 88, 1103-1112 (2010).

Stark, B. C., K. L. Dikshit, K. R. Pagilla, “Recent Advances in Understanding the Structure, Function, and Biotechnological Usefulness of the Hemoglobin from the Bacterium Vitreoscilla,” Biotechnol. Lett. (in press).

Akbas, M. Y., T. Doruk, S. Ozdemir, and B. C. Stark, "Further investigation of the mechanism of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) protection from oxidative stress in Escherichia coli," Biologia (in press).

Dennison, S. G., P. O'Brien, S. Gopalkrishnan, and B.C. Stark. "Enhancement of aerobic degradation of benzoate and 2-chlorobenzoate by adapted activated sludge," Microbiol. Research 165, 687-694 (2010).

Anand, A., B. T. Duk, S. Singh, M. Y. Akbas, D. A. Webster, B. C. Stark, and K. L. Dikshit, “Redox mediated interactions of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin [VHb] with OxyR: novel regulation of VHb biosynthesis under oxidative stress,” Biochem. J. 426:271-280 (2010).

Chi, P., D. A. Webster, and B. C. Stark, “Vitreoscilla hemoglobin aids respiration under hypoxic conditions in its native host,” Microbiol. Research 164, 267-275 (2009).

Kaur, R., Ahuja, S., Anand, A., Singh, B., Stark, B. C., Webster, D. A., and K. L. Dikshit, “Functional implications of the proximal site hydrogen bonding network in Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb): role of Tyr95 (G5) and Tyr126 (H12),” FEBS Lett. 582,3494-3500 (2008).

Stark, B. C., Urgun-Demirtas, M., and K. R. Pagilla, “Role of hemoglobin in improving biodegradation of aromatic contaminants under hypoxic conditions,” J. Mol. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 15, 181-189 (2008).

Dogan, I., K. R. Pagilla, D. A. Webster, and B. C. Stark, “Expression of Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin in Gordonia amarae Enhances Biosurfactant Production,” J. Indust. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 33, 693-700 (2006).

Urgun-Demirtas, M., K. R. Pagilla, and B. C. Stark, “Comparison of 2-chlorobenzoic acid biodegradation in a membrane bioreactor by B. cepacia and B. cepacia bearing the bacterial hemoglobin gene,” Water Research 40, 3123-3130 (2006).

Urgun-Demirtas, M., B. Stark, and K. Pagilla, “Use of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) for the Bioremediation of Contaminants,” Critical Rev. Biotechnol. 26, 145-164 (2006).

Kennett, C. A., and B. Stark, “Automated ribotyping for the identification and characterization of food-borne Clostridia,” J. Food Protection 69, 2970-2975 (2006).

Chung, Y. T., B. C. Stark, and D. A. Webster, “Role of Asp544 in subunit I for Na+ pumping by Vitreoscilla cytochrome bo,” Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 348, 1209-1214 (2006).

Professional Society Memberships

Editorial Board Service

Professional Society Service

Grants

Development of biocatalysts for the desulfurization of crude oil" Saudi Aramco, 2/21/08-2/20/09; $550,280

Community Service

"Global Village" scientist volunteer in Oak Park, IL District 97 schools for last 16 years