Making fish fluoresce for mercury detection

Scientists in South Korea have developed a new probe for mercury that can be used for imaging organs in living organisms.

Mercury is a highly toxic and widespread pollutant. But whilst a number of fluorescence probes exist for mercury most detect only its inorganic forms; there are few reports of probes for organic mercury species such as methylmercury. Yet, the element is commonly found in organic forms, which are more toxic than inorganic mercury as their lipophilicity allows them to cross biological membranes. Consequently, new ways of detecting these mercury species, particularly in organisms, is of crucial importance.

More: http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/cb/Volume/2009/5/Mercury_detection.asp