SGER: Collaborative Research in rapid assessment of algal physiology using synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared imaging supported by chemometrics

在这项由化学系分析和表面化学（ASC）项目资助的探索性研究小额赠款（SGER）合作中，威斯康星州密尔沃基大学的Carol Hirschmugl教授和田纳西大学的Frank沃格特教授将联合收割机结合创新的光谱技术，（具有多元件探测器的基于同步加速器的红外成像）和计算（化学计量学）方法，用于藻类细胞对变化环境的体内研究。该项目的目标是更好地了解微藻采取的资源分配策略，重点是对碳和氮供应变化的反应。 新开发的方法将能够非常详细地研究二氧化碳（一种绿色室内气体）对藻类系统的作用。值得注意的是，目前用于研究藻类细胞的方法包括繁琐的生化分析，这在活细胞的研究中很难甚至不可能使用。这项研究可能会影响重要的环境科学和工程研究领域，包括气候变化研究，生物柴油的潜在生产和生态学。几个学科的研究生将参与这些研究工作。 此外，高中学生和教师，REU学生和来自阿巴拉契亚的学生将参加这个项目。

In this collaborative Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) funded by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry (ASC) program of the Chemistry Division Prof. Carol Hirschmugl of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Prof. Frank Vogt of the University of Tennessee will combine innovative spectroscopic (Synchrotron-based infrared imaging with a multi-element detector) and computational(chemometrics) methods for in-vivo studies of algal cells responding to a changing environment. The project goal is to achieve a better understanding of the strategies microalgae adopt to allocate resources focusing on the responses to changes in the availability of carbon and nitrogen. The newly developed methodology will enable the study of the role of carbon dioxide (a green house gas) on algal systems in great detail. Notably, methodologies presently used to study algal cells include tedious biochemical analyses, which are difficult to impossible to use in the studies of living cells. This research could potentially impact important environmental science and engineering research fields including climate change research, potential production of biodiesel, and ecology. Several graduate students across several disciplines will be involved in these research efforts. In addition, high school students and teachers, REU students and students from Appalachia will participate in this project.