Collaborative Research: A molecular biological sensor for AUVs

应用分子分析技术查明海洋微生物、病毒、特定基因和基因产物是海洋学研究、监测和资源管理做法的核心，但一般来说，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，从数小时到数天不等。因此，开发克服这一障碍的仪器被视为优先事项。以前，PI通过开发环境样品处理器（ESP）来解决这个问题。ESP是一种可现场部署的系统，允许在原位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。ESP的应用目前仅限于可嵌入较大观测框架的系泊或海底装置。由于在任何特定时间可以部署的系泊设备数量有限，而且它们在地理上是固定的，因此从遥远的角度调查目标社区的“零散性”和评估其动态以应对不断变化的环境条件的能力有限。PI建议通过修改ESP以适应移动的平台来克服这一限制并补充现有的海洋观测技术。该项目的主要目标是将仪器安装在12”直径螺旋桨驱动的AUV上，尽管相同的设备也可以集成在其他平台上（例如，剖面系泊或浮体、漂流器）。这可以通过重新包装和消除当前ESP的一些元素，并通过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，新仪器将适用于基于核酸和蛋白质的检测化学品，并支持样本存档，以便材料可以带回实验室进行后续分析。然而，其配置将针对较少的目标物种/代谢物为一个给定的部署，符合重点AUV侦察行动。这种实时探测能力将为海洋学家和资源管理人员创造独特的机会，特别是在将其置于综合海洋观测站网络内时。更广泛的影响教育和推广受益于众多的本科生，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; WHOI和生物安全公司提供的各种暑期实习计划。蒙特利湾水族馆将ESP纳入了一项计划，每天运行两次，每年有近30万人参加。尽管一位评审员认为更广泛的影响在某种程度上是可以预测的，但PI拥有广泛的可用资源基础，过去已经证明了他们利用这些资源的能力。

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.