Grantee Research Project Results
2006 Progress Report: Nanosensor for Detection of Saxitoxin
EPA Grant Number: GR832382Title: Nanosensor for Detection of Saxitoxin
Investigators: Gawley, Robert E.
Institution: University of Arkansas
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: August 1, 2005 through July 31, 2008
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2005 through July 31, 2006
Project Amount: $340,000
RFA: Greater Research Opportunities: Research in Nanoscale Science Engineering and Technology (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to design and prepare nanoscale sensors for the detection of saxitoxin and other paralalytic shellfish toxins (PSTs).
Progress Summary:
During this grant period, we have focused our attention on incorporating the sensor moiety into self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the monomer of the SAM that was published during this grant period (Kele, et al., 2006), as well as the fluorescence response to several concentrations of the toxin. Further work on SAMs that incorporate newer and more sensitive chromophores, including those that have less interference from the analytical matrices, will be a major focus of our efforts during the next grant period.
Figure 1. Left: Structure of SAM Containing Coumaryl Crown Chemosensor; Right: Fluorescence Emission Spectrum from 10 to 100 μM Saxitoxin
In an effort to improve the binding of the toxin to the sensor, we explored varying the size of the crown ether ring and found that larger rings do indeed increase the binding, as summarized in Figure 2 (Mao, et al., 2006).
Figure 2. Effect of Ring Size on Binding Constant
Students Penny Lewis and Ryan Farris have worked on this project, as well as postdoctorates Hua Mao and Mahbubul Haque. Undergraduate Jennifer Pharr is a coauthor in the second paper listed below, and will be coauthor on another paper in 2007.
Future Activities:
In the next grant period, we will be incorporating fluorophores other than coumarin into SAMs, and evaluating the detection of all the PSP toxins by the SAM-anchored sensors.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 3 publications | 3 publications in selected types | All 3 journal articles |
|---|
| Type | Citation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Kele P, Orbulescu J, Gawley RE, Leblanc RM. Spectroscopic detection of saxitoxin:an alternative to mouse bioassay. Chemical Communications 2006;(14):1494-1496. |
GR832382 (2006) GR832382 (Final) |
|
|
|
Mao H, Thorne JB, Pharr JS, Gawley RE. Effect of crown ether ring size on binding and fluorescence response to saxitoxin in anthracylmethyl monoazacrown ether chemosensors. Canadian Journal of Chemistry 2006;84(10):1273-1279. |
GR832382 (2006) GR832382 (Final) R829599 (Final) |
Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Water, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Monitoring/Modeling, New/Innovative technologies, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Technology, nanoscale sensors, environmental sustainability, innovative technologies, aquatic ecosystem, nano engineering, marine toxins, chemical composition, environmentally applicable nanoparticles, nanotechnology, nanosensors, nanoengineering, saxitoxin detection, analytical chemistry, aquatic toxins, chemical sensorsProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.