Ultra-sensitive and specific graphene Immunosensors for in-situ mercury measurement in marine ecosystems

该项目的发现可能会导致生物传感器在海洋和环境科学中的新应用，并可能对痕量化学品的环境循环产生新的见解。汞是环境中毒性最大的污染物之一，受到全球关注。本项目的目标是研制一种高灵敏度、高特异性的石墨烯免疫传感器，用于水生态系统中痕量汞的原位检测。开发用于量化超低水平汞的分布和形态的超灵敏、特异和稳健的方法，特别是用于现场原位测量，是更好地了解汞的来源、归宿、转化和生物累积以及评估环境污染和可能的补救措施的基本要求。所提出的技术是潜在的变革，并将促进进一步设计和优化的新型传感器，仪器和分析方案的痕量目标在实际的生物，化学和环境监测的重要性。该项目将作为本科生和研究生的教育和研究工具，为各级学生、不同族裔背景和民族、代表性不足的少数民族和残疾人提供机会。

Discoveries from this project could lead to new applications of biosensors in marine and environmental science and potentially to new insights into the environmental cycling of trace chemicals. Mercury is one of the most toxic contaminants in the environment and is of global concern. Developing methods for measuring the distribution mercury in the field is needed to better understand the source and fate of mercury.The goal of this project is to develop ultrasensitive and specific graphene-based immunosensors for in-situ detection of trace Hg2+ concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. Developing ultrasensitive, specific, and robust methods for quantifying the distribution and speciation of ultra-low level mercury, especially for in-situ measurements in the field, is a fundamental requirement to better understand the source, fate, transformation and bioaccumulation of Mercury, as well as for assessing environmental pollution and possible remediation. The proposed technique is potentially transformative, and will promote further design and optimization of novel sensors, instrumentation, and analytical schemes for trace targets important in practical biological, chemical and environmental monitoring. This project will be incorporated as undergraduate and graduate educational and research tools, and provide opportunities for students at all levels, diverse ethnic backgrounds and nationalities, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities.