William W. Ward Professor Rutgers University Dept. of Biochemistry & Microbiology Lipman Hall School of Env & Biol Sciences New Brunswick. NJ 08903 (732) 932-9562 FAX - 8965 crebb@rci.rutgers.edu

Basic biochemistry. applications of bioluminescence

Our current research interests fall into two categories: 1) the elucidation of biochemical components in the bioluminescence of coelenterates and 2) the application of this knowledge in developing practical genetically-based assays for gene expression.

1. We are currently completing the characterization of a bioluminescence energy transfer system involving a unique chromoprotein known as the green-fluorescent protein (Science. 1994). Fluorescence involves a post-translationally modified tripeptide in the primary sequence of the protein (Cody et al.. 1993). We have recently proposed an evolutionary relationship between the biosynthetic pathways of luciferin and GFP (Ward & McCapra. 1993).

2. The GFP gene has been cloned and is expressed as an inheritable fluorescent cell marker in all species tested. (Chalfie et al.. 1994). We now have reason to believe that luciferin is also genetically encoded. Thus. it may be possible to establish a nearly universal in vivo bioluminescence assay for gene promotion. induction and repression and to design a bioluminescent "Ames test" or "Rec-assay" based on the coelenterate bioluminescence system.

Selected Publications

Ward WW. (2006) Biochemical and physical properties of green fluorescent protein. Methods Biochem Anal. 47:39-65.

Richards HA. Han CT. Hopkins RG. Failla ML. Ward WW. Stewart CN Jr. (2003) Safety assessment of recombinant green fluorescent protein orally administered to weaned rats. J Nutr. 133(6):1909-12.

Chalfie. M.. Tu. Y.. Euskirchen. G.. Ward. W.W. and Prasher. D.C. (1994). Green fluorescent protein as a marker for gene expression. Science 263:802-805.

Cody. C.W.. Prasher. D.C.. Westler. W.M.. Prendergast. F.G. and Ward. W.W. (1993). Chemical structure of the hexapeptide chromophore of the Aequorea green-fluorescent protein. Biochemistry 32:1212-1218.

Prasher. D.C.. Eckenrode. V.K.. Ward. W.W.. Prendergast. F.G. and Cormier. M.J. (1992). Primary structure of the Aequorea victoria green-fluorescent protein. Gene 111:229-233.