Biotechnology with Dr. Dasha Leary

Summary

Dr. Dasha Liry, a research biologist at the Naval Research Laboratory, discusses her interdisciplinary career journey in biotechnology and microbiology. She explains her work in studying marine microbes and microbial communities, which are relevant to U.S. Navy operations. Highlighting her role in the mass spectrometry laboratory and her involvement in synthetic biology, Dr. Liry shares how biotechnology helps produce materials like melanin to protect Navy personnel from radiation. She also emphasizes the future of biotechnology in improving workforce readiness, advancing military applications, and fostering collaboration with students to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Dasha Liry is a research biologist at the Naval Research Laboratory, specializing in studying microorganisms and microbial communities in marine environments relevant to the US Navy's operations.
• 😀 Dr. Liry holds leadership roles such as vice-chair of the Tri-Service Microbiome Committee and co-chair for Education and Workforce Development at the Biomanufacturing Institute.
• 😀 Her academic journey was interdisciplinary, spanning bioengineering, biotechnology, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology, leading her to a non-traditional career in research.
• 😀 The research conducted at the Naval Research Laboratory is focused on understanding how microorganisms adapt to their natural environments and how to use these organisms for biotechnology applications.
• 😀 Synthetic biology is being used to engineer microorganisms for producing materials, such as melanin, which has applications in protecting personnel from radiation and improving materials like uniforms.
• 😀 The research includes the study of Vibrio natriegens, a fast-growing bacterium that can be engineered to produce materials rapidly and on-demand, reducing supply chain issues for the Navy.
• 😀 Biotechnology and biomanufacturing are growing fields that focus on using biological organisms to produce materials, a key area of interest for the Department of Defense (DoD).
• 😀 Melanin, produced by modified Vibrio natriegens bacteria, is being studied for its potential to protect personnel and materials from harmful radiation in space, underwater, or other high-radiation environments.
• 😀 The future of biotechnology in the DoD includes developing alternative fuels, green chemistry, and improving food production through biotechnological processes.
• 😀 Dr. Liry emphasizes the importance of outreach to students and the general public, as engaging with diverse perspectives can inspire new ideas and approaches to scientific problems.

Q & A

Can you tell us about your background and how you got interested in your current field of research?

Dr. Dasha Liry has a diverse academic background. She initially studied bioengineering and biotechnology in Prague before transferring to the University of North Dakota. After switching departments a few times, she found her way to biochemistry and pharmacology, eventually leading her to the Naval Research Laboratory. Her journey highlights the importance of interdisciplinary learning in her career.

What is the focus of your research at the Naval Research Laboratory?

Dr. Liry’s research is focused on studying microorganisms and microbial communities from environments relevant to US Navy operations, particularly marine environments. Her work involves understanding how these microbes adapt and how they can be used in applications such as biotechnology and synthetic biology.

What roles do you hold outside of your technical research?

Dr. Liry is the vice-chair for the Tri-Service Microbiome Committee, which aligns microbiome research across all Department of Defense services. She also co-chairs the Education and Workforce Development committee at Biomanufacturing Institute, working to introduce biotechnology and biomanufacturing to both the scientific community and other personnel.

How do the microbial communities you study relate to the Department of Defense’s needs?

The microbial communities studied are primarily from marine environments, which are relevant to Navy operations. The research helps understand the environmental exposures of Navy personnel and explores biotechnology applications, such as using microbes to produce materials on demand for military purposes.

Can you explain how synthetic biology plays a role in your research?

Synthetic biology involves redesigning organisms to have new abilities, such as modifying their genes to produce materials of interest. Dr. Liry’s lab uses this technique to modify marine organisms to produce materials needed for Navy operations, such as melanin, which can protect personnel from UV and radiation.

What are some of the key materials produced through your research, and how do they benefit military personnel?

One key material being produced is melanin, a pigment that protects against radiation. By genetically modifying bacteria, Dr. Liry’s team can produce melanin on demand, which can be used to enhance uniforms, vehicles, or equipment to protect personnel from harmful radiation.

How does your work with vibrio nutrients contribute to material production?

Vibrio nutrients are a fast-growing bacterium that can double in size within 10 minutes. This characteristic allows the lab to produce materials quickly and on-demand, directly on Navy ships or near military operations, minimizing supply chain issues and ensuring the rapid availability of necessary materials.

What advice would you give to students interested in entering the field of biotechnology?

Biotechnology is an emerging and rapidly growing field, particularly in biomanufacturing. Dr. Liry advises students to focus on interdisciplinary learning and be open to working across different scientific domains. The biotechnology field offers many opportunities, but there is a need for more trained professionals to meet the growing demands.

How might biotechnology change the way materials and food are produced in the future?

Biotechnology is exploring alternative methods for producing materials, including using microbes to produce food, fuels, and other important substances. By leveraging biology over traditional chemistry, the field aims to provide more sustainable and efficient production methods, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving environmental protection.

What are some of the potential applications of studying microbial communities for enhancing military performance?

Studying microbial communities can provide insights into human performance, especially for personnel working under challenging conditions, like during night shifts. Understanding how microbial communities in the human body affect performance could lead to strategies for improving the health and efficiency of military personnel.