Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/B506035/1
Development of an instrument for sequential imaging of chlorophyll a fluorescence & Light Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) at single cell level
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor R Geider, University of Essex, Biological Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor GJC Underwood, University of Essex, Life Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Essex, Biological Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Marine
- Freshwater
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Abstract:
- We propose to develop an instrument for determination of photosynthetic performance and elemental composition of individual cells within mixed populations of microalgae. The instrument will employ fluorescence imaging, followed by the application of light-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Chlorophyll fluorometry is a non-invasive technique for determining photosynthetic performance. Fluorescence imaging systems developed at Essex have successfully been used to probe the photosynthetic performance of individual cells within mixed populations of microalgae. LIBS can be used to determine the elemental composition of very small quantities of material. With this technique, a brief, high powered laser pulse is focused onto a sample to create plasma. Spectroscopic analysis of the light emitted as the plasma cools allows for identification of elements within the sample from their unique spectral signatures. There is ample published evidence that this technique could be successfully employed to determine the elemental composition of individual cells within mixed populations of micro algae. The most important application for this system will be in answering key questions regarding the role of phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa that play key functional roles in upper ocean nutrient cycling and biogeochemistry. In addition, we will be able to examine how photosynthetic performance is related to elemental composition within microalgae.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/B506035/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Capital Equipment Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Capital Equipment
This grant award has a total value of £195,583
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs | Total - Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2,251 | £79,828 | £33,197 | £36,721 | £43,586 |
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