Molecular Genetic Analysis of Biological Atmospheric Aerosol Particles

• Applicant: Dr. Viviane Grant
• Subject Area: Atmospheric Science
• Term: from 2006 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 28484231

The main goal of this project is the development and application of molecular genetic methods for the analysis of biological aerosol particles in the atmosphere (bacteria, fungi, plant and animal fragments). Over the past years it has become clear, that biological particles may strongly influence the effects of aerosols on atmospheric chemistry and physics, climate, and public health. So far, however, the abundance, diversity, sources, properties, and effects of biological particles in the atmosphere have not yet been well characterized and quantified. This is largely due to a lack of efficient measurement methods. In most earlier studies microscopy, protein staining, or the cultivation of viable airborne microorganisms have been applied. These methods, however, do not allow a comprehensive characterisation of the origin of biological materials independent of particle size, integrity, and viability. In contrast, the application of molecular genetic tools for the analysis of DNA offers a very straightforward way to identify the origin of biological matter from both living and dead, complete and fragmented organisms. Moreover, DNA analysis in combination with additional molecular methods, like terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (T-RFLP), also provides the possibility of estimating the abundance and diversity of different species. Thus, we are planning to develop and optimize molecular genetic methods for the characterization of biological particles in filter and impactor samples of air particulate matter. We plan to apply these techniques to a set of carefully selected aerosol samples to obtain an initial data set on the biological composition of atmospheric particles.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants