A Firefly Luciferase Bioluminescence Water Quality Indicator Based on Varying pH Levels
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Authors
Prokopyschyn, Zack
Tooke, Mederise
Lewis, Carson
Conner, Landen
Bold, Katherine
Date of Issue
2024
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Subject Keywords
Other Titles
Abstract
Firefly luciferase is the most widely researched enzyme for bioluminescence and is utilized in molecular biology and biotechnology. Its specialized ability to catalyze the oxidation of luciferin (the substrate for luciferase) results in light emission. Luciferase is a necessary enzyme for bioluminescence found in various organisms, including fireflies, multiple bacteria, and several aquatic species. This oxidoreductase enzyme catalyzes a reaction that emits light, which is widely used for biological imaging and gene labeling. Researchers can use this enzyme-substrate pair to quantify biological processes by measuring the emitted light from the oxidation reaction, making firefly luciferase a functional indicator of various biological conditions, including pH, heavy metal concentration, and environmental temperature changes. Employing an environmentally responsive biological indicator to evaluate the water quality in a particular area visually conveys immediate pH information to residents, researchers, and environmentalists, enhancing their understanding of local ecosystem health. This investigation will focus on the effects of a range of pH values to create a colorimetric scale for quick pH reference based on the color of luminescence generated by the luciferase-catalyzed oxidation reaction. An optimal ATP concentration will be determined in which the reaction emits visible light at a measurable rate. The ideal ATP concentration will be used with the enzyme-substrate pair in an oxidative environment to measure wavelengths of light emitted at varying pH levels.
Description
Abstract only.