RUI: Mutagenesis and Mechanistic Studies of Firefly Luciferase

生物发光——生物体发出的光——是一种迷人的现象，让孩子们着迷，并对那些试图完全理解它的人提出了挑战。萤火虫是生物发光甲虫的例子，它们能够发出从绿色到红色的各种颜色的光。萤火虫发光过程的基本生物化学原理在药物开发、临床试验和食品检测等方面有许多实际应用。这个项目将研究一种叫做荧光素酶的键萤蛋白，它负责非同寻常的生化发光过程。该研究旨在确定萤火虫荧光素酶的重要成分，并确定特定氨基酸如何协同工作以有效产生不同颜色的光。分子生物学技术将用于创建和评估新的荧光素酶蛋白。研究结果将有助于更好地理解萤火虫的生物发光，以及生物体将化学能转化为光的基本过程。萤火虫荧光素酶的发光过程的阐明对其继续开发有意义的有用应用具有重要意义。此外，更好地了解荧光素酶的结构-功能特性对基本生化过程具有重要意义，其实际应用范围超出了生物发光领域。该项目将在康涅狄格学院进行，这是一所文理学院，对本科生的研究经历有着强烈的承诺。在过去的25年里，由首席研究员指导的生物发光工作对本科生非常有吸引力。参与本项目的专业人员和学生将参与现代主流生物化学和分子生物学的研究。预计学生参与者将成为科学家，为进入研究生课程和专业科学事业做好充分准备。

Bioluminescence the emission of light by living organisms is a fascinating phenomenon thathas enchanted children and challenged those who have tried to fully understand it. Fireflies areexamples of bioluminescent beetles capable of emitting light of various colors from green to red.The basic biochemistry of the firefly light emission process has many practical applicationsincluding drug development, clinical trials and food testing. This project will investigate the keyfirefly protein called luciferase that is responsible for the extraordinary biochemical lightprocess. The research is designed to identify important components of firefly luciferase and todetermine how specific amino acids work together to efficiently produce light of varying color.Molecular biology techniques will be used to create and evaluate new luciferase proteins. Theresults should contribute to a better understanding of firefly bioluminescence and thefundamental process by which living organisms convert chemical energy into light. Theelucidation of the light-emitting process of firefly luciferase is important to the continueddevelopment of significant useful applications. Additionally, a better understanding of the fireflyluciferase structure-function properties is important to fundamental biochemical processes withsignificant practical applications extending beyond the realm of bioluminescence. This projectwill be carried out at Connecticut College, a liberal arts college with a strong commitment toundergraduate research experiences. Previous bioluminescence work directed by the principalinvestigator for approximately 25 years has been highly appealing to undergraduate students.Professional and students participants in this project will be involved in modern mainstreambiochemical and molecular biology research. It is expected that student participants will becomescientists well prepared for entry into graduate programs and professional scientific careers.