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jssing. the University of <br />f the task, which was to 1) <br />ind researchers who could <br />ti-disciplinary approach to <br />snd 2) specify equipment <br />nslitute was that of director, <br />ed and English biochemist <br />Dr. Wood is noted for his <br />cury. the biological process <br />more toxic compound. <br />ints and fellows, visiting <br />swelled the ranks of the <br />id recognition and research <br />ite was assured. <br />irs ahead of schedule, the <br />ie Freshwater Biological <br />id. to the Board of Regents <br />debt-free, with no strings <br />r made to the University of <br />-oundation had come from <br />foundations — no state or <br />icility to the University of <br />>re than eight years of the <br />s of people who believed in <br />and stayed with it to a <br />ta renamed the Institute. It <br />igical Institute, in honor of <br />frvations and concerns just <br />erstone of the creation of a <br />facility for fundamental <br />g. November. 1972: (left <br />)berhauser. mai/or of <br />ov. Foundation president: <br />Caldecott, dean of the <br />gical Sciences. University <br />finnesota Senator George <br />ommissioner Robert <br />yta Department o/ Natural <br />I was pleased lo be able lo support Ihe Freshwater Biological Institute <br />a«rf am ^ased that euerylhlng has worked out so welL You reXhave <br />d^jusl an excellent Job In developing such an Important research <br />—The tale Hubert H. Humphrey. U.S. senator from Flinnesola <br />4* <br />1 <br />4 ^ <br />f: ' <br />•yr <br />m <br />^ i I ••■•r <br />t wM: "-y-W <br />II i I ^ <br />^ f V <br />A <br />m <br />University of Minnesota President C. Peter Magrath attaches a <br />plaque to an Institute wall during cermonies on December 9. 1976. <br />when the Foundation presented the facility to the University of <br />Minnesota <br />In July. 1974. the Freshwater Biological Institute opened its <br />doors. The dream had finally become a reality. The Institute, <br />through a multi-disciplinary approach, began to pursue the <br />same goal that is its current guiding force; to understand <br />freshwater systems in detail to help solve freshwater problems. <br />Today, scientists from six major disciplines pool their efforts to <br />research freshwater systems. Following are some examples of <br />the accomplishments and current projects of the Institute <br />scientists: <br />I Discovering principles and techniques that have changed <br />the picture of freshwater research and have had a <br />significant and positive effect on the freshwater <br />environment. <br />B Training graduate students and postdoctoral researchers <br />from the United States and abroad: helping them to <br />become leaders in industry and academia. <br />B Investigating what happens to some of humanity's most <br />troublesome chemicals when they enter lakes and rivers. <br />These findings may lead to new. effective ways to clean up <br />natural waters and keep drinking water safe. <br />I Using genetic engineering techniques to develop ways to <br />use bacteria to break down toxic compounds in water. <br />I Sharing findings with visiting scientists and collaborators <br />from nearly every state and 22 countries. <br />I Doing research aimed at turning into a resource the <br />tremendous volume of waste from wood and paper <br />products produced each year and released to natural <br />waters. <br />Publishing research papers (150 of them from 1974-1981) <br />in national and international scientific journals. <br />Looking for ways to use green algae to harvest valuable <br />metals as well as clean up acid mine water. <br />Generating major grants (34 of them from 1975-1981) <br />which continue the work of the scientists and maintain their <br />position at the forefront of freshwater research. <br />Taking close looks at crucial natural enzymes, or <br />complicated catalysts. The aim of this research is to design <br />simpler catalysts that may do the same job as the <br />complicated ones, only faster, cheaper, and better. <br />Tracing what happens to mercury, selenium, and arsenic in <br />water. This information could prevent the derivatives of <br />these metals from causing long-term impacts which could <br />exceed those of acid rain. <br />These represent a few of the ways in which the <br />Institute works to better understand freshwater <br />systems to help solve freshwater problems...to keep <br />our waters usable. <br />1*0 <br />5:irnatm <br />r ■ ^ <br />r r <br />Dr. Eckard Munck. physicist and former acting director of the Institute <br />With the Grav Fr <br />1974 and donated <br />Freshwater Foum: <br />assure ‘ contiriuinc <br />information regard <br />the freshwau?! woi <br />The onginai Artie <br />Foundation had li.s <br />ln.stitute 1) to hi <br />MinncstJta. 3) to ei <br />dispo.se of monie.s <br />threj ’ purposes. <br />In accordance wit <br />had essentially roi <br />Directors of the F( <br />and bi'come a rel <br />mission seenn ’d to <br />But was it? <br />The Directors said <br />VVhile working to a <br />and its progiani>. <br />awareness of the <br />treshvvater prohlei <br />Foundation hecam <br />In 1977. neu Arti <br />Roarei of Directors <br />the ev'or grow ing c <br />The nevy .Arficl«*v ,i <br />1 C«M>t!liiU' tr. su <br />2 (uMu>Mfe fumfv <br />'n akr as well a <br />puNu‘ benefit".