A LASER-BASED SPECTROFLUOROMETER FOR THE EFFICIENT PROBING OF METAL-ION BINDING-SITES ON SOLID BIOMATERIALS

A laser based spectrofluorometer with f/# matched optics has been deve loped for the investigation of metal ion binding sites on nonviable bi omaterials. Solid biomaterial samples have been encapsulated in a KBr glass matrix for these investigations. This sample preparation techniq ue has allowed for the investigation of metal ion binding sites by bot h luminescence and infrared spectroscopy. The utility of the system an d the method of sample preparation has been demonstrated with Eu(III) bound to cultured cell fragments from Datura innoxia.