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Title: Field-Portable Immunoassay Instruments and Reagents to Measure Chelators and Mobile Forms of Uranium

Abstract

Progress Report Date: 01/23/06 (report delayed due to Hurricane Katrina) Report of results to date: The goals of this 3-year project are to: (1) update and successfully deploy our present immunosensors at DOE sites; (2) devise immunosensor-based assays for Pb(II), Hg(II), chelators, and/or Cr(III) in surface and groundwater; and (3) develop new technologies in antibody engineering that will enhance this immunosensor program. Note: Work on this project was temporarily disrupted when Hurricane Katrina shut down the University on August 29, 2005. While most of the reagents stored in our refrigerators and freezers were destroyed, all of our hybridoma cell lines were saved because they had been stored in liquid nitrogen. We set up new tissue culture reactors with the hybridomas that synthesize the anti-uranium antibodies, and are purifying new monoclonal antibodies from these culture supernatants. Both the in-line and the field-portable sensor were rescued from our labs in New Orleans in early October, and we continued experiments with these sensors in the temporary laboratory we set up in Hammond, LA at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
OSTI Identifier:
896790
Report Number(s):
ERSD-1025388-2006
R&D Project: ERSD 1025388; TRN: US0700845
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ANTIBODIES; FREEZERS; HURRICANES; HYBRIDOMAS; IMMUNOASSAY; MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES; NITROGEN; REFRIGERATORS; TISSUE CULTURES; URANIUM

Citation Formats

Blake, Diane A. Field-Portable Immunoassay Instruments and Reagents to Measure Chelators and Mobile Forms of Uranium. United States: N. p., 2006. Web. doi:10.2172/896790.
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Blake, Diane A. Field-Portable Immunoassay Instruments and Reagents to Measure Chelators and Mobile Forms of Uranium. United States. doi:10.2172/896790.
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Blake, Diane A. Mon . "Field-Portable Immunoassay Instruments and Reagents to Measure Chelators and Mobile Forms of Uranium". United States. doi:10.2172/896790. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/896790.
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@article{osti_896790,
title = {Field-Portable Immunoassay Instruments and Reagents to Measure Chelators and Mobile Forms of Uranium},
author = {Blake, Diane A.},
abstractNote = {Progress Report Date: 01/23/06 (report delayed due to Hurricane Katrina) Report of results to date: The goals of this 3-year project are to: (1) update and successfully deploy our present immunosensors at DOE sites; (2) devise immunosensor-based assays for Pb(II), Hg(II), chelators, and/or Cr(III) in surface and groundwater; and (3) develop new technologies in antibody engineering that will enhance this immunosensor program. Note: Work on this project was temporarily disrupted when Hurricane Katrina shut down the University on August 29, 2005. While most of the reagents stored in our refrigerators and freezers were destroyed, all of our hybridoma cell lines were saved because they had been stored in liquid nitrogen. We set up new tissue culture reactors with the hybridomas that synthesize the anti-uranium antibodies, and are purifying new monoclonal antibodies from these culture supernatants. Both the in-line and the field-portable sensor were rescued from our labs in New Orleans in early October, and we continued experiments with these sensors in the temporary laboratory we set up in Hammond, LA at Southeastern Louisiana University.},
doi = {10.2172/896790},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 23 00:00:00 EST 2006},
month = {Mon Jan 23 00:00:00 EST 2006}
}
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DOI:  10.2172/896790
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  • A collaborator in the Chemistry Department at Tulane University, Dr. Harry Ensley, has synthesized a new bifunctional chelator with specificity for ionic mercury (Hg2+) and methymercury (MeHg+). These chelators are based upon phenantholine derivative containing sulfhydryl functional groups. Experiments are underway to generate protein conjugates of this chelator to use in immunizations and screening.

  • The goals for the 3-year project period are (1) to test and validate the present uranium sensor and develop protocols for its use at the NABIR Field Research Center; (2) to develop new reagents that will provide superior performance for the present hand-held immunosensor; and (3) to develop new antibodies that will permit this sensor to also measure other environmental contaminants (chromium, mercury, and/or DTPA). Sensor design modifications are underway via international collaborations. New reagents that will provide superior performance for the present hand-held immunosensor are being prepared and tested. New methods have been developed, to produce recombinant forms ofmore » metal-specific monoclonal antibodies for use with the sensor. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments are underway to determine the mechanisms of binding. Immunization experiments with sheep and rabbits to develop new recombinant forms of antibodies to metal-chelate complexes (chromium, mercury, and/or DTPA) have been initiated.« less

  • Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated the feasibility of immunoassays for identification and quantification of specific metal ions. Our ultimate goal for this project is to (1) isolate and characterize antibodies that recognize the most mobile form of uranium, UO22+; (2) assemble, test, and validate a new field-portable immunosensor based on these antibodies; (3) prepare new monoclonal antibodies to the primary chelators (EDTA and DTPA) found in DOE wastes.

  • ;
    Geochemical exploration for uraninm ore deposits usually requires prompt delivery of reliable analytical data to the field party. This is true of both hydrogeochemical and soil sampling projects since specific areas must be selected as soon as possible after initial sampling. Prompt and reliable analytical data can most rapidly be obtained with a mobile geochemical laboratory located at a base camp near the area of interest, such as described in this repent. Exploration projects which require a field party to be absent from the base camp for long periods of time can include hydrogeochemical sampling if a portable kit ismore » carried into the field. This repent describes a portable geochemical kit equipped for extracting uranium from water samples and measuring the pH and conductivity of the water on the spot. Analytical procedures are given for determining the uranium, bicarbonate and sulfate content in waters and lists of the necessary equipment and supplies required for both mobile and portable equipment are presented. (auth)« less