REU: Immunofluorescent Characterization of the Eukaryotic Ultraplankton

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Small (3um) eukaryotic cells are known to be a substantial component of the photosynthetic biomass in the ocean and coastal waters. Because of their small size, cells cannot generally be identified by standard microscopic procedures. Thus, the development and application of new techniques is being pursued. Specifically, the development of immunofluorescent assays for the accesory pigments and surface proteins of small size class phytoplankton (ultraplankton). Such markers will then be used to characterize the taxonomic composition of the small cell flora in the ocean. Although the phytoplankton in this size class are very active biologically, they are difficult to identify and work with. The problem will be approached with advanced biotechnological methods, which reflects the desire of the oceanographic community to expand the available techniques for dealing with difficult biological problems.