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经常发现的藻毒素(氰毒素)。在一些淡水中存在高浓度氰基毒素，其中一些淡水用作饮用水供应来源，严重威胁人类和环境健康。该项目旨在解决在经历藻类水华的地表水中快速监测和量化微囊藻毒素的迫切需要。微囊藻毒素是一类在淡水中常见的氰基毒素，存在着有害藻华形成的问题。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来源中的微囊藻毒素。这项提议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。在这个目标中，有两个具体的目标：1)展示用于微囊藻毒素使用点测定的纳米结构传感器，以及2)用真实世界的水样验证传感器的性能。该传感器将基于微流控通道内的交叉型阵列电极结构；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，以提供对微囊藻毒素的纳米结构检测。这些纳米材料对于传感器是有利的；它们提供高导电性和更大的表面积。传感器的选择性将由针对不同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阻抗谱(EIS)等电化学测量技术。将对制造的装置进行评估，以确定其检测和量化天然地表水中微囊藻毒素的能力，这些水是从经历了蓝藻有害藻华(氰藻-赤潮)严重发生的各种淡水水生系统获得的。这项研究还将使人们对用于选择性鉴定和定量微囊藻毒素的纳米生物传感器的原理有一个基本的了解。该项目具有很强的社会影响。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。第二，它解决了与天然水域中存在剧毒的微囊藻毒素相关的严重和新出现的环境问题。最后，这项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现场监测微囊藻毒素，据反复报道，微囊藻毒素出现在一些五大湖、其他几个美国和国际湖泊和河流中。这将对管理饮用水水源和保护人类健康产生巨大的影响。这些努力可以补充其他正在进行的恢复和可持续性表层水生系统的努力。此外，研究活动将通过汇聚一支由研究生、本科生、博士后研究员和教职员工组成的研究团队，在促进教学、培训和学习的同时，直接促进知识和理解。几项活动将加强对氰基毒素的教育。这些措施包括：(I)对不同专业的学生进行严格的跨学科实验室培训，从而丰富课程内容；(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)提高公众对氰基苯和氰化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.