SGER: Fluorescent Detection of Bacillus anthracis

探索性研究小额赠款（SGER）为荧光检测作为鉴定固体表面细菌的手段提供资金。所有生物体共有的一些成分，包括几种氨基酸和维生素，在紫外线或可见光下会发出荧光。由于这种荧光的数量、持续时间和波长应随每种生物的确切组成而变化，因此测量荧光可以提供一种方法，在存在其他物质的情况下识别细菌，并将一种细菌与另一种细菌区分开来。利用同步加速器光源在170 ~ 700 nm波长范围内照射细菌，确定几种非致病性芽孢杆菌和其他细菌的荧光峰值波长和时间衰减，然后与其他颗粒材料（包括植物花粉和粘土）的荧光进行比较。目的是研究荧光的潜在效用，作为检测信封和其他物体表面细菌的设备的基础。

This Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) provides funds for an examination of fluorescence as a means for identification of bacteria on solid surfaces. A number of constituents common to all organisms, including several amino acids and vitamins, fluoresce in response to ultraviolet or visible light. Because the amount, duration and wavelength of such florescence should vary with the exact composition of each organism, measurement of florescence could provide a means to identify bacteria in the presence of other materials and distinguish one type of bacteria from another. Using a synchrotron light source for irradiation of bacteria at well-defined wavelengths between 170 and 700 nm., the peak wavelength and time-decay of fluorescence by several, non-pathogenic species of Bacillus and other bacteria will be determined and then compared to the fluorescence of other particulate materials including plant pollen and clay. The goal is to investigate the potential utility of fluorescence as the basis for a device to detect bacteria on the surface of envelopes and other objects.