The objective of this research is to understand the response of whole-cell catalysts to immobilization and to subsequent operating environments. In this study, relationships between the immobilization method used and the catalyst properties which result will be established. Techniques to be used include fluorometry to monitor intracellular reduced pyridine nucleotide levels, NMR to investigate metabolism and bioenergetics, and flow cytometry to monitor population dynamics. Application of these techniques to immobilized cells is novel.
