Black: BSA .5 mg/mL excitation 250 nm, fluorescence seen slight bump at 315 nm, slight peak at 500 nm. (BSA dissolved in F.Factor buffer).

Blue: F.Factor, 0.5 mg/mL, excitation 250 nm, fluorescence seen with large peak at 345 nM and large peak at 500 nm.

Red: F.Factor buffer, possibly contaiminated? No 345 peak, only 500 nm peak.

Fluorescent protein (.5 mg/mL) and buffer with 250 excitation. 345 fluorescence seen, 500 nm fluorescence seen in both buffer and fluorescence protein. Again, contaimination may have occurred for the green fluorescence

Large blue: Fibers in water, red is f.factor protein, black is f.f buffer. Water showed no fluorescence.

Analysis of data presented:

The presence of a 500 nM peak in the buffer used to dissolve BSA, as well as the buffer alone is puzzling. Although the purified protein itself exhibits green fluorescence, as defined by observation in the Innotech detector with illumination seen with the Green Fluoresence filter (as described earlier), these potential contaiminants prevent accurate assessment of this F.protein as a “green fluorescent protein”. It is of note that the buffer containing F.Factor fluoresced brilliantly, while control buffer did not.

The F.factor protein is not bovine serum albumin, with a distinctly different pattern of fluorescence.

The fibers themselves exhibit the same fluorescence pattern seen as the F.factor protein, with a green peak, suggesting that the fluorescence of the fiber may be due to this particular protein (F.factor). Although this is only a sample from one individual, it is very provocative, demonstrating a scientific basis for previously anecdotally reported fluorescence. Of particular note is the green and red (as well as the broad peak ranging from 345-400) fluorescence seen in the fibers.

Recommendations for future research:

A luminometer/fluorometer may be needed laboratory equipment to aid the evaluation of the fluorescence of fibers as a characteristic Morgellons hallmark.

A transilluminator (common laboratory equipment) coupled with a photographic system with green fluorescent filters (ranging from a digital system to a Polaroid film system) may record fiber fluorescence, but the fluorometer will allow for more accurate characterization of the fluorescence pattern.

Additionally, the fiber analysis was conducted with a mass of fibers, filling the cuvette. A trial experiment, to see if a single fiber suspended in water in the standard cuvette will also show both a measurable fluorescence pattern, as well as the same fluorescence pattern.

Quotation Source: VWR

(Prices may vary from vendor to vendor, so comparison shopping is recommended)

Modulus* Luminometer/Fluorometer, Turner BioSystems

Costs about 7500 (non-academic) providing a full spectrum of readings, similar to the Hitachi fluorometer. (5,400 in NAU academic pricing). The fluorometer alone is about $4300, but does not have the luminometer settings. It may be up to the researcher to evaluate whether they wish to have the luminometer, to evaluate potential fiber luminescence.

For handheld diagnoses, Picofluor* Handheld Dual-Channel Fluorometers, Turner BioSystems costs about $2000, ($1500 academic) but is only limited to preset wavelengths. This application may be utilized for rapid screening of samples, or confirmatory diagnosis samples either in the clinic, or in a testing facility, once a characteristic fluorescence pattern (if any) of Morgellons fibers is established.