Developing and applying fluorescent nanosensors for biological measurement.

Fluorescent nanosensors are inert, versatile biosensors, that can be used to make important measurements of key molecules and ions in microenvironments at the physics of life interface and are ideal for real-time measurements of dynamic processes [1].

At the University of Nottingham, fluorescent nanosensors have been developed to quantify pH, [2] molecular oxygen [3] and temperature [4] in complex model systems. Of these sensors, the pH-sensitive fluorescent nanosensors have gathered the greatest momentum. They have been evaluated and validated in a range of complex and diverse microenvironments and demonstrated their immense potential by mapping the acidification in nematode model organisms (Caenorhabditis elegans [5] & Pristionchus pacificus [6]), elucidation of subcellular fermentation pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae [7], determined the intracellular processing of foreign material in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) [8] & characterised the evolution of acid by-products during bacterial biofilm growth [9].

This project will continue the application of pH-sensitive fluorescent nanosensors to diverse biological environments, which include fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), Thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) and CHO/Heck 293 cell culture for bioprocessing. As well as develop new biosensors for key biological molecules and ions.