RUI: Mutagenesis and Mechanistic Studies of Firefly Luciferase

生物发光生物体发光是一种迷人的现象，它使孩子们着迷，也对那些试图完全理解它的人提出了挑战。萤火虫是生物发光甲虫的例子，能够发出从绿色到红色的各种颜色的光。萤火虫发光过程的基本生物化学有许多实际应用，包括药物开发、临床试验和食品测试。这个项目将研究萤火虫的关键蛋白质，称为荧光素酶，负责非凡的生化光过程。该研究旨在确定萤火虫荧光素酶的重要组成部分，并确定特定的氨基酸如何协同工作以有效地产生不同颜色的光。分子生物学技术将用于创建和评估新的荧光素酶蛋白。这些结果将有助于更好地理解萤火虫生物发光和生物体将化学能转化为光的基本过程。阐明萤火虫荧光素酶的发光过程对于继续开发其重要的应用具有重要意义。此外，更好地理解荧光素酶的结构-功能特性对于基本的生物化学过程是重要的，其重要的实际应用延伸到生物发光领域之外。这个项目将在康涅狄格学院进行，这是一所文科学院，致力于培养研究生的研究经验。由首席研究员指导的生物发光工作已经持续了大约25年，对本科生具有很高的吸引力。参与该项目的专业人员和学生将参与现代主流生物化学和分子生物学研究。预计学生参与者将为进入研究生课程和专业科学生涯做好充分准备。

Bioluminescence the emission of light by living organisms is a fascinating phenomenon thathas enchanted children and challenged those who have tried to fully understand it. Fireflies areexamples of bioluminescent beetles capable of emitting light of various colors from green to red.The basic biochemistry of the firefly light emission process has many practical applicationsincluding drug development, clinical trials and food testing. This project will investigate the keyfirefly protein called luciferase that is responsible for the extraordinary biochemical lightprocess. The research is designed to identify important components of firefly luciferase and todetermine how specific amino acids work together to efficiently produce light of varying color.Molecular biology techniques will be used to create and evaluate new luciferase proteins. Theresults should contribute to a better understanding of firefly bioluminescence and thefundamental process by which living organisms convert chemical energy into light. Theelucidation of the light-emitting process of firefly luciferase is important to the continueddevelopment of significant useful applications. Additionally, a better understanding of the fireflyluciferase structure-function properties is important to fundamental biochemical processes withsignificant practical applications extending beyond the realm of bioluminescence. This projectwill be carried out at Connecticut College, a liberal arts college with a strong commitment toundergraduate research experiences. Previous bioluminescence work directed by the principalinvestigator for approximately 25 years has been highly appealing to undergraduate students.Professional and students participants in this project will be involved in modern mainstreambiochemical and molecular biology research. It is expected that student participants will becomescientists well prepared for entry into graduate programs and professional scientific careers.