Nanosensor for the Point-of-Use Detection of Hepatotoxic Microcystins in Water

这项研究将开发和测试一种新型传感器，旨在检测和量化淡水中常见的藻毒素（蓝藻毒素）。 在若干淡水中存在高浓度的蓝藻毒素，其中一些淡水是饮用水供应的来源，严重威胁着人类和环境的健康。该项目旨在解决快速监测和量化经历藻华的表层沃茨中微囊藻毒素的迫切需要。微囊藻毒素是一组常见于淡水中的蓝藻毒素，具有严重的水华形成问题。研究人员将利用先进的碳纳米材料开发高选择性和快速响应的传感器，用于检测和定量饮用水和饮用水源中的微囊藻毒素。该提案旨在创建用于选择性识别和定量微囊藻毒素的纳米结构生物传感器。有了这个目标，有两个具体的目标：1）展示纳米结构的传感器，用于微囊藻毒素的使用点测定，以及2）验证传感器的性能与现实世界的水样。该传感器将基于微流体通道内的叉指阵列电极结构;先进的碳纳米材料，如3D石墨烯和碳纳米管将被涂覆在电极上，以提供微囊藻毒素的纳米结构检测。这些纳米材料对于传感器目的是有利的;它们提供高导电性和增加的表面积。传感器的选择性将由不同的微囊藻毒素亚型的生物受体提供。纳米生物传感器将采用电化学测量技术，如电化学阻抗谱（EIS）。制造的设备将被评估其检测和量化从各种淡水水生系统，经验严重的蓝藻有害藻华（氰-HABs）的自然地表水中的微囊藻毒素的能力。这项研究也将提供一个基本的理解的原则，创造纳米生物传感器用于选择性识别和定量的微囊藻毒素。该项目具有很强的社会影响力。首先，通过该项目开展的合作研究和教育活动将为监测水质的纳米生物传感领域做出重大贡献。其次，它解决了一个严重的和新出现的环境问题，这是与天然沃茨中存在的高毒性微囊藻毒素。最后，本研究中介绍的基于纳米技术的生物传感器可以进一步开发用于微囊藻毒素的原位监测，微囊藻毒素已多次报告出现在一些五大湖，其他几个美国和国际湖泊和河流中。这将对管理饮用水源和保护人类健康产生巨大影响。这些努力可以补充其他正在进行的努力，以恢复和可持续的地表水生态系统。此外，研究活动将直接推进知识和理解，同时通过汇集研究生，本科生，博士后研究员和教师的研究团队来促进教学，培训和学习。若干活动将加强关于蓝藻毒素的教育。这些措施包括：（i）为不同课程的学生提供严格的跨学科实验室培训，从而丰富课程;（ii）为学生研究人员提供科学培训的合作研究机会;（iii）广泛传播成果;（iv）提高公众对与氰-有害藻酸盐和氰毒素相关主题的认识;以及（v）加强跨学科研究合作。

This research will develop and test a novel sensor designed to detect and quantify algal toxins (cyanotoxins) frequently found in freshwaters. The presence of high concentrations of cyanotoxins in several freshwaters, some of which serve as sources of drinking water supplies, seriously threatens human and environmental health. This project aims to address the urgent need of rapid monitoring and quantification of microcystins in surface waters experiencing algal blooms. Microcystins are a group of frequently found cyanotoxins in freshwaters experiencing problems of harmful algal bloom formation. The investigators will develop highly-selective and fast-responding sensors for the detection and quantification of microcystins in drinking water and sources of drinking water supplies using advanced carbon nanomaterials.This proposal aims to create nanostructured biosensors for selective identification and quantification of microcystins. With this objective, two specific aims are targeted: 1) demonstrate nanostructured sensors for point-of-use determination of microcystins, and 2) validate sensor performance with real-world water samples. The sensor will be based on an interdigitated array electrode structure inside a microfluidic channel; advanced carbon nanomaterials such as 3D graphene and carbon nanotubes will be coated on the electrode to provide nanostructured detection of microcystins. These nanomaterials are advantageous for sensor purposes; they provide high electrical conductivity and increased surface area. The sensor selectivity will be provided by bioreceptors specific to different microcystin isoforms. The nano-biosensor will employ electrochemical measurement techniques such as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The fabricated device will be evaluated for its ability to detect and quantify microcystins in natural surface water obtained from various freshwater aquatic systems that experience severe occurrence of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyano-HABs). This study will also provide a fundamental understanding of the principles for creating nano-biosensors used in selective identification and quantification of microcystins. The project has a strong societal impact. First, this collaborative research and educational activities through this project will provide a significant contribution to the field of nano-biosensing for monitoring water quality. Second, it addresses a serious and emerging environmental problem that is associated with the presence of the highly toxic microcystins in natural waters. Finally, the nanotechnology-based biosensors introduced in this research can be further developed for in-situ monitoring of microcystins, which have been repeatedly reported to occur in some of the Great Lakes, several other US and international lakes and rivers. This will have a tremendous implication for managing sources of drinking water and protecting human health. These efforts can be complementary to other on-going efforts towards the restoration and sustainability of surface aquatic systems. In addition, the research activities will directly advance the knowledge and understanding while promoting teaching, training and learning by bringing together a research team of graduate students, undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty. Several activities will enhance education on cyanotoxins. These include (i) rigorous cross-disciplinary laboratory training for students in different programs, resulting in the enrichment of the curriculum, (ii) collaborative research opportunities for scientific training to the student researchers, (iii) broad dissemination of results, (iv) enhanced public awareness of topics relevant to Cyano-HABs and cyanotoxins, and (v) strengthened interdisciplinary research collaborations.