12th International Symposium on Bioluminescence & Chemiluminescence

Symposium abstracts:

Practical courses for teaching of natural sciences

Kratasyuk Valentina, Gitelson Josef
Department of Biophysics, Krasnoyarsk State University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Email: bpl@ibp.ru

Bioluminescence provides the broadest opportunities for teaching biology at universities. The practical courses in ecology, enzymology, microbiology, biophysics, chemistry and other natural sciences have been created. The experience of introducing of practical courses in schools and university are discussed. Luminous bacteria and luciferases provides a convenient system for studying the energy conversions, emphasizing enzymatic catalysis et al. The effect of xenobiotics on luminescence are the basis of highly sensitive ecological bioassays. Luciferase activity is measured directly by light intensity recorded by the bioluminometer for 10-20 s. The advantages in comparison with other enzymes are that it is quick and simple. The simplicity and appeal of bioluminescence for use in schools affording wide use of visual aids in biology and to make the students’ views approach the modern state of the science, to arouse their interest to work without assistance.

This is a preprint of an article accepted for publication in Luminescence: Copyright 2001 John
Wiley & Sons, Ltd (Wiley website)