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        Assessment of a new method in protist research: NanoSIMS analysis

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        Publication date
        2015
        Author
        Grinsven, S. van
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        Summary
        The hypereutrophic Lake Taihu in China was used as a model system for the development of a new method in protist research. The possibilities and challenges of nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) analysis were assessed for the study of carbon transfer by protists. Lake samples were incubated with 13C-labelled DIC (13C-NaHCO3) to study the uptake and transfer of carbon in the Taihu food web. The NanoSIMS 50L instrument (Cameca) was used to measure stable carbon isotope ratios in protists and the cyanobacteria Microcystis sp. Individual organisms were studied to assess spatial heterogeneity within the cells. Precipitated crystals interfered with the signal of the organisms. A way to remove crystals or to prevent crystal formation must be developed in the future. Regions of interest were identified and analyzed. Significant differences were found between a light and dark uptake experiment indicating the importance of autotrophs for the food web. 13C/(12C+13C) values increased over the timepoints of the incubation experiment. The high 13C/(12C+13C) values of protists indicated autotrophy. Although several challenges in the methodology remain, the NanoSIMS approach was promising for single-cell analysis of protists.
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        https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/21224
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