Collaborative Research: Voltage-gated Proton Channels in Dinoflagellates

一些鞭毛藻（小的单细胞海洋生物）是生物发光的；它们有能力发出闪光，这是海洋中美丽而壮观的景象。本项目将探索电压门控质子通道（HV）蛋白在生物发光鞭毛藻中的潜在作用，并测试其在生物发光中的生理作用。通道蛋白在闪烁体（这些鞭毛藻的发光细胞器）中的位置将被检查，以及它们作为质子通道的生物物理特性。该项目探索了鞭毛藻生物学的一个新方面，并为研究质子选择转运的一般机制提供了一个很好的模型，质子选择转运是光合作用和呼吸过程的一个重要方面。更广泛的影响：该项目将使人们了解鞭毛藻的基本生物学知识，其中一些鞭毛藻是有毒“赤潮”的罪魁祸首，而那些生物发光的鞭毛藻则对潜水员、游泳者和水下航行器的夜间海军行动构成威胁。该项目将为培养分子生物学、生物物理学和海洋科学领域的博士后、本科生和研究生提供一个独特的机会。

Some dinoflagellates (small unicellular marine organisms) are bioluminescent; they have the ability to emit flashes of light, a beautiful and spectacular sight in the ocean. This project will explore the potential role of voltage gated proton channel (HV) proteins in bioluminescent dinoflagellates, and test their physiological role in bioluminescence. The location of the channel proteins in scintillons (the light emitting organelles of these dinoflagellates) will be examined, as well as their biophysical properties as proton channels. This project explores a novel aspect of dinoflagellate biology and provides an excellent model in which to study the general mechanism of proton selective transport, which is an essential aspect of the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Broader impact: This project will generate knowledge of the basic biology of the dinoflagellates, some of which are responsible for toxic "red tides" whilst those that are bioluminescent create threats of exposure for night-time naval operations involving divers, swimmers and underwater vehicles. This project will provide a unique opportunity to train a postdoctoral fellow and undergraduate and graduate students at the interface of molecular biology, biophysics and marine science.