The assay used in previous studies to quantify pentosidine levels was too costly and time consuming to be considered practical. The goal of our study was to develop a new assay to determine pentosidine concentration in avian species. Skin samples were harvested from loons of known/unknown age as well as from five roosters that were all five months of age. It was discovered that pentosidine concentration could be determined by chloroform methanol delipidation, collagen extraction by RIPA buffer, and analysis by fluorometry. In the future, it is hoped that this assay will aid in research to determine the age of wild birds admitted to wildlife clinics for treatment and necropsy.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Alan, Rebecca R
• Belen, Laura J

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-031209-205737

Advisor

• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2009

Date created

• 2009-03-12

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright