Commercial Opportunities Exploiting the Diversity of Beetle Luciferases

Information

  • NSF Award
  • 9160613
Owner
  • Award Id
    9160613
  • Award Effective Date
    1/1/1992 - 32 years ago
  • Award Expiration Date
    9/30/1992 - 31 years ago
  • Award Amount
    $ 50,000.00
  • Award Instrument
    Standard Grant

Commercial Opportunities Exploiting the Diversity of Beetle Luciferases

Though radioactivity is widely used in bioassays due to its high sensitivity and convenience, safety and environmental concerns have accelerated efforts to eliminate its use. Several recent examples of procedures using luminescence have surpassed conventional isotopic methods. Among these, luminescence of firefly luciferase is the most efficient known. The investigators have completed significant new research advancing the knowledge of the enzymatic mechanism of firefly luciferase. The new chemistry provides greater luminescence intensity with simpler reaction kinetics. To gain a broader perspective of properties of beetle luciferases and to develop enzymes better suited to commercial applications, the investigators propose to examine the structure and function of several divergent isozymes by using cDNA clones already isolated coding for these isozymes. Phase I will assess the feasibility of this proposal by expressing and purifying the cloned luciferases in E.coli developing methods for random mutagenesis, and initiating crystallization studies. Phase II will focus on characterizing the recombinant luciferases, examining their relative structural relationships, enhancing their properties by random mutagenesis, and generating protein crystals of the new isozymes. Phase III efforts will use the knowledge acquired on enzyme property enhancement to develop a number of bioassay-related and other commercial applications.

  • Program Officer
    Ritchie B. Coryell
  • Min Amd Letter Date
    1/30/1992 - 32 years ago
  • Max Amd Letter Date
    1/30/1992 - 32 years ago
  • ARRA Amount

Institutions

  • Name
    Promega Corporation
  • City
    MADISON
  • State
    WI
  • Country
    United States
  • Address
    2800 WOODS HOLLOW RD
  • Postal Code
    537111539
  • Phone Number
    6082744330

Investigators

  • First Name
    Keith
  • Last Name
    Wood
  • Start Date
    1/1/1992 12:00:00 AM