Collaborative Research: Determination of Oceanic Copper and Zinc using Biosensor Technology

pi建议开发基于荧光的光纤生物传感器，旨在实时连续地原位测量海洋痕量游离Zn2+和Cu2+。这些生物传感器使用一种生物分子，碳酸酐酶，将自由金属离子的水平转化为荧光强度或寿命的变化，这种变化可以通过一段光纤长度来测量。使用生物分子作为换能器赋予这些光学传感器无与伦比的选择性和灵敏度。在传感器分子、荧光标记和光学方面提出的改进将允许在水柱深处和缺氧水域进行测量，目前的分析技术无法获得所需的数据。这种能力将使表面锌的生物利用度、甲烷氧化菌和反硝化菌的Cu可利用性以及还原条件下的Cu可利用性等重要问题最终得到解决。该项目的一个关键目标是培训学生，并向学生介绍海洋生物地球化学和船上环境研究的特殊性。

The PIs propose to develop fluorescence-based fiber optic biosensors designed to measure oceanic trace levels of free Zn2+ and Cu2+ continuously in situ, in real time. These biosensors use a biomolecule, carbonic anhydrase, to transduce the level of free metal ion as a change in fluorescence intensity or lifetime that can be measured through a length of optical fiber. The use of the biomolecule as transducer confers unmatched selectivity and sensitivity on these optical sensors. Proposed improvements in the transducer molecule, fluorescent labels, and optics will permit measurement deep in the water column and in anoxic waters, where current analytical technology is incapable of acquiring the needed data. This capability will permit questions of central importance in surface zinc bioavailability, Cu availability for methanotrophs and denitrifiers, and Cu availability in reducing conditions to finally be addressed. A key goal of this project is the training of students and the introduction of students outside the discipline to marine biogeochemistry and the special character of research in a shipboard environment.