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  • Peptide Display for Rare Earth Element Binding

    Abstract: Rare earth elements (REEs) are metals that are indispensable to the function of many advanced systems and materials. The supply chain of REEs is heavily dependent on foreign sources and supply shortages are a major concern to the US government. Biological recovery approaches could be an economically feasible approach to recover REEs from unconventional or secondary sources. The objective of this project was to express a lanthanide-binding tag, with an affinity for adsorption of REEs, on the surface of the biomining bacterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. This was to be accomplished using synthetic biology tools. The initial cloning steps were performed in Escherichia coli, since techniques are well established in this strain. Using a peptide display approach, several DNA constructs with the binding tag were designed that were regulated by constitutive or inducible promoters and cloned into plasmids that replicate in E. coli and A. ferrooxidans. All plasmids were observed to be unstable or lethal in E. coli, exhibiting sequence rearrangements or deletion of the designed construct. Conjugation between E. coli and A. ferrooxidans and subsequent REE binding assays were thus not possible due to the absence of a structurally and functionally intact plasmid.

  • Versatile engineers, contract warrants contribute to mission accomplishment

    Administrative Contracting Officer warrants allows engineers to make contract modifications, monitor compliance, and perform overall contract management.

  • Tunnel Inspection at Summersville Lake

    The United States Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District performed an inspection of the tunnel

  • USACE removes swim beaches at Rocky Branch and Lost Bridge South campgrounds

    ROGERS, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beaver Lake Project Office is permanently removing swim beaches at Rocky Branch and Lost Bridge South campgrounds because of erosion, safety and maintenance issues, and user conflicts due to high-water levels over the last decade. These areas will remain open for shoreline access.

  • Virtual Missouri River water management public meetings set for April

    Two meetings to hear from the public about planned operation of the Missouri River Mainstem System will be held the first week in April.

  • West Point Dam to celebrate 50 years

    Milestones don't come around often; when they do, you want to remember them, like birthdays, wedding anniversaries, etc. For example, the 50th anniversary of a wedding is the golden anniversary and celebrates 50 years of marriage.

  • One of the Greatest Engineering Feats No One Talks About: The St. Lawrence Seaway

    The Saint Lawrence Seaway stands as one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century, yet it remains one of the least talked about. This massive infrastructure project, which transformed North American trade and transportation, was built with precision, innovation, and sheer determination. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with Canadian authorities, played a critical role in its construction, ensuring that the Great Lakes region could compete on the global stage.

  • Sandi Dolbee Elected Community Co-Chair of the Restoration Advisory Board for the Former Beale AFB Titan 1-A Missile Facility Environmental Restoration Project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sacramento District welcomes Sandi Dolbee as the newly elected Community Co-Chair of the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for the Former Beale AFB Titan 1-A Missile Facility environmental restoration project.

  • Canyon Lake Announces Continued Closure of Overlook Park and Service Road

    The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials at Canyon Lake have announced the continued closure of Overlook Park and the Canyon Dam Service Road for necessary contract work will be extended from March 31, 2025, through September 30, 2025.

  • CRREL researchers test equipment at home of “World’s Worst Weather”

    Members of CRREL’s mobility team and executive leadership recently spent the day at the Mount Washington Observatory on the mountain’s summit. While there, they learned about the observatory’s facilities and capabilities and explored opportunities for collaboration between their meteorological and operational staff and CRREL’s researchers and engineers.