ERIE, Pa. - A grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will enable Mercyhurst College to further fine-tune its search for pathogens in the recreational waters of Presque Isle State Park, while providing students access to highly sophisticated research equipment and supplementing the work of local health officials.
The NSF has awarded Mercyhurst $72,650 to purchase a new LI-COR Odyssey Infrared Imaging System, which is a powerful tool for detecting protein levels. It will be used for projects ranging from plant biology to microbiology, both in the classroom and for student-led research projects, according to the grant proposal's lead author, Dr. Steven Mauro, assistant professor of biology.
"I am excited about receiving this grant because it demonstrates that a major national funding entity like the NSF takes our work seriously and because of the opportunity it creates for our many science students," Mauro said.
Mauro intends to utilize the equipment to advance his ongoing studies in determining the levels of pathogenic bacteria in beach water samples. Mercyhurst's research of Lake Erie and its tributaries, which began three years ago, cast a broad net, with Mauro and his students testing thousands of water samples for the presence of E. coli colonies. Then, last year, researchers used new DNA technology to zero-in on specific pathogens, in particular, the shiga toxin (Stx) gene, which is often harbored in E. coli.
"With DNA technology, instead of looking at E. coli colonies as an indicator that pathogenic bacteria may be present, we began directly identifying those bacteria in the waters that have the potential to make us sick, like the Stx gene," he explained.
Studies did uncover evidence of the Stx gene in small quantities from samples taken at Presque Isle. However, researchers did not have the capability of further analyzing the gene to determine if it produced the proteins that are toxic to humans and lead to severe gastrointestinal illness.
The new infrared imaging system will allow scientists to detect those proteins, even at very low levels, and further refine their investigation of beach water quality at Presque Isle.
"The NSF grant will enable us to more precisely investigate water quality and work with local health officials to deliver results that we hope will better inform our recreational swimmers and keep our beaches as clean as possible," Mauro said.
In addition to Mauro, Mercyhurst science faculty Drs. Marlene Cross, Clint Jones and Michael Elnitsky will also use the new equipment in their research and lab work with students.