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Related Experiment Videos

Versatile biosensor vectors for detection and quantification of mercury.

L H Hansen1, S J Sørensen

  • 1Department of General Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Solvgade 83 H, DK-1307 K, Copenhagen, Denmark.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|November 30, 2000
PubMed
Summary

New whole-cell biosensors were developed using mercury-inducible promoters and reporter genes. These biosensors can quantitatively detect bioavailable mercury in various environments, including contaminated soil.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Mercury contamination poses significant environmental and health risks.
  • Developing sensitive and accurate methods for mercury detection is crucial for environmental monitoring.
  • Whole-cell biosensors offer a promising approach for detecting specific pollutants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To construct and characterize novel whole-cell biosensors for mercury detection.
  • To evaluate the quantitative response of these biosensors to varying mercury concentrations.
  • To demonstrate the application of these biosensors for quantifying bioavailable mercury in environmental samples.

Main Methods:

  • Fusion of the mercury-inducible promoter P(mer) and its regulatory gene merR with reporter genes (luxCDABE, lacZYA, gfp).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Construction of whole-cell biosensor strains in Escherichia coli.
  • Cloning of biosensor cassettes into mini-Tn5 delivery vectors for transfer to other Gram-negative bacteria.
  • Application of a mer-lux biosensor in Pseudomonas putida for soil mercury quantification.

    • Main Results:

    • Developed three distinct whole-cell biosensor constructs responsive to mercury.
    • Observed quantitative light, beta-galactosidase, or green fluorescent protein production correlating with mercury levels.
    • Successfully transferred mercury biosensor cassettes to diverse Gram-negative bacteria.
    • Quantified water-extractable mercury in contaminated soil using a mercury biosensor in Pseudomonas putida.

    Conclusions:

    • Whole-cell biosensors utilizing the P(mer) promoter provide a sensitive and quantitative method for mercury detection.
    • The modular design allows for the application of these biosensors across various Gram-negative bacteria and environmental matrices.
    • These biosensors represent a valuable tool for environmental monitoring and risk assessment of mercury contamination.