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It is the ultimate goal of this project to develop a chemical sensor that reports the presence of saxitoxin by a fluorescence emission that is transmitted through an optical fiber.
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Saxitoxin is a molecule that is synthesized by a number of algae and cyanobacteria in the lakes and oceans of the world. It is accumulated in shellfish, which can then enter the human food chain. </p>
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Currently, when shellfish beds are monitored for the presence of saxitoxin and other algal and cyanobacterial toxins, the monitoring is done using mouse bioassay. </p>
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The plan is to build on preliminary results we have already obtained with pure saxitoxin and a prototype sensor molecule. </p>
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In this grant period, we will optimize the sensitivity and the selectivity of the sensor molecule by making changes in its chemical structure and testing the new sensors with both artificial samples as well as authentic samples of toxic shellfish. </p>
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When an optimal sensor is developed, the investigators will transfer the technology for further development. Their vision is to develop a small portable device that will require only minimal sample preparation for use.</p>