Publication Date

Summer 2023

Document Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Analytical Chemistry

First Advisor

Dr. Walter Henne

Second Advisor

Dr. K. G. Sanjaya Ranmohotti

Third Advisor

Dr. Joong-Won Shin

Abstract

Protein concentration quantification is important for many areas of biology and biochemistry. This quantification happens in large quantities in laboratories and needs to be done accurately and quickly. The Bradford assay is one of the most common ways of accomplishing this task (1). This assay relies on the binding of the protein and the Coomassie Blue G250 dye. The anionic blue form binds to the protein and has a maximum at 595 nm. This allows for accurate quantification by reading how much of the sample absorbs at 595 nm (2).

In 2014, it was estimated that 5.5 million tons of plastic waste was generated in all research laboratories around the world, this is equivalent to 83% of all the plastic recycled in 2012 (3). The purpose of this project is to determine laboratory techniques that can reduce the plastic waste of 96-well plates and 100 μL pipette tips by washing and reusing these plates and tips while still maintaining satisfactory results. One of the problems with the Bradford assay is that the dye used stains the 96-well plates making reuse difficult. Using a simple washing method, however, both the 96-well plates and the 100 μL pipette tips showed no statistical variation from a given standard even after significant reuse.

Download

Share

COinS