With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program, Professor Jonathan McMurry of Kennesaw State University will acquire a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical biosensor. It will be used in research by eight faculty members in studies of flagellar biosynthesis, enzyme catalysis, cellular signaling and stress response. It will also be used to analyze newly synthesized polymers for antifouling and antimicrobial properties, and in the development of low-cost fiber optic capillary SPR sensors.
SPR biosensors are analytical tools used to study biomolecular interactions. An SPR biosensor measures changes in refractive index of a solution close to a surface. The changes can be caused by changes in concentration of an analyte that occur on binding to a surface-bound ligand. Changes over time can reflect association and dissociation and thus, affinity. This instrument will be used by undergraduates in their research. Novel uses in a laboratory courses will also be undertaken.
