Collaborative Research: A molecular biological sensor for AUVs

应用分子分析技术鉴定海洋微生物、病毒、特定基因和基因产物是海洋学研究、监测和资源管理实践的核心，但通常这种方法需要将样品运送到实验室进行处理。这一要求通常会导致材料收集和分析之间的延迟，从几个小时到几天不等。因此，克服这一障碍的仪器的开发被视为一个优先事项。以前，PI通过开发环境样本处理器（ESP）来解决这个问题。ESP是一种可现场部署的系统，允许远程应用分子探针方法，包括DNA和蛋白质探针阵列，以及实时PCR。目前，ESP的应用仅限于停泊或底栖设施，这些设施可以嵌入到更大的观测框架中。由于在任何给定时间可以部署的系泊数量有限，并且由于它们在地理上是固定的，因此从远程角度询问目标社区的“补丁性”以及评估其响应不断变化的环境条件的动态的能力是有限的。PI建议克服这一限制，并通过修改ESP以适应移动平台来补充现有的海洋观测技术。该项目的主要目标是将该仪器安装在直径为12英寸的螺旋桨驱动的水下航行器上，尽管同样的设备也可以集成在其他平台上（例如，剖面系泊或浮子，漂浮器）。这可以通过重新包装和消除现有ESP的一些元件，并将该设备与现场可部署的多通道表面等离子体共振（SPR）传感器相结合来实现。与目前的ESP一样，新仪器将适用于核酸和蛋白质化学分析，并支持样品存档，以便将材料带回实验室进行后续分析。然而，对于给定的部署，其配置将针对更少的目标物种/代谢物，与集中的AUV侦察行动一致。这种实时探测能力将为海洋学家和资源管理者创造独特的机会，特别是在一个综合海洋观测网络中。更广泛的影响众多本科生、研究生、博士后、技术人员和高级教师通过各种项目与esp合作，使教育和推广受益；WHOI和Biosecurity， Inc.为本科生（包括少数民族学生）提供的各种暑期实习项目；蒙特利湾水族馆将ESP纳入了一个每天运行两次的项目，每年有近30万人参加。尽管一位审稿人将更广泛的影响描述为可预测的，但PI拥有广泛的可用资源基础，并且他们利用这些资源的能力在过去已经得到证明。

Application of molecular analytical techniques for identifying marine microbes, viruses, specific genes, and gene products is central to oceanographic research, monitoring and resource management practices, but generally such methods require transporting samples to a laboratory for processing. This requirement typically results in delays ranging from many hours to days between collection of material and its analysis. Hence, development of instrumentation that overcomes this impediment is seen as a priority. Previously, the PI's approached this problem through development of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP). The ESP is a field-deployable system that allows for application of molecular probe methodologies remotely in situ, including DNA and protein probe arrays, as well as real-time PCR. Applications of the ESP are currently restricted to moorings or benthic installations that can be embedded within a larger observatory framework. Since the number of moorings that can be deployed at any given time is limited and because they are fixed geographically, the ability to interrogate the "patchiness" of target communities and to assess their dynamics in response to changing environmental conditions from a remote perspective is limited. The PI's propose to overcome this limitation and compliment existing ocean observing technologies by modifying the ESP to fit on mobile platforms. The primary goal of this project is to fit the instrument on a 12" diameter propeller-driven AUV, though the same device could also be integrated on other platforms as well (e.g., profiling mooring or float, drifter). This can be accomplished by repackaging and eliminating some elements of the current ESP, and by combining that device with a field deployable, multi-channel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. Like the current ESP, the new instrument will be suitable for use with nucleic acid and protein-based assay chemistries, and support sample archiving so that material can be brought back to a laboratory for later analyses. However, its configuration will be aimed at fewer target species/metabolites for a given deployment, consistent with focused AUV reconnaissance operations. Such real-time detection capability will create unique opportunities for oceanographers and resource managers, particularly when placed within an integrated ocean observatory network. Broader ImpactsThe educational and outreach benefits from numerous undergraduates, graduate students, post docs, technical staff, and senior faculty working with the ESPs through various projects; various summer internship programs provided by WHOI and Biosecurity, Inc. for undergraduates including minority students; Monterey Bay Aquarium has included the ESP in a program that runs twice a day reaching almost 300,000 people a year. Although one reviewer described the broader impacts as somewhat predictable, the PI's have a broad base of resources available to them and their ability to utilize these has been demonstrated in the past.