Hi all, I am trying to design a hypothetical screen to find additional genes that are responsible for C. metallidurans' ability to reduce gold ions (Au(I) and Au(III)) to solid gold nanoparticles. Once I have created the mutants, I would like to have an easy way of detecting whether or not the mutants are still able to produce the gold nanoparticles. Is there any chemical assay that would allow me to selectively screen for the presence of gold nanoparticles without false positives from Au(I) or Au(III) present in the solution? (These nanoparticles are found in the periplasm/extracellularly).
Thanks!
I wonder if you could use SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) - where the Raman signal is enhanced by the presence of gold nanoparticles? It may well be able to distinguish between Au+ in solution (I hope the technique wouldn't 'see' it) and solid Au nanoparticles - particularly if you want a qualitative yes/no in the first instance?
This isn't directly my field, so I offer the above comment with caution :-) but try some literature searching around SERS and see if you think it would be useful.
It would depend on the size of the NPs you make (generally 30-100 nm is useful for good SERS enhancement). Be aware that what you'd see would be an enhanced raman spectra of your structure rather than the Au itself.
Good luck!
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