title: Detection of picomolar concentrations of lead in water using albumin-based fluorescence sensor.
abstract: Comprehensive analysis of fluorescence of albumin shows a weak fluorescence band at 430 nm, whose intensity exhibits a remarkable sensitivity to the presence of heavy ions in water. Using this fluorescence as a marker, as low as 10 pM concentration of lead can be routinely detected. Such a great sensitivity is explained in terms of electrostatic interactions in solution, which promote protein agglomeration. The latter is independently confirmed using dynamic light scattering measurements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA.
authors.forename: Anushree
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Vladislav V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Yakovlev