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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
09:33

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium

Published on: December 17, 2018

Pigment-based whole-cell biosensor system for cadmium detection using genetically engineered Deinococcus radiodurans.

Min-Ho Joe1, Kang-Hee Lee, Sang-Yong Lim

  • 1Radiation Research Division for Biotechnology, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, 580-185, Republic of Korea.

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering
|September 20, 2011
PubMed
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A novel whole-cell biosensor using genetically engineered Deinococcus radiodurans detects cadmium (Cd) by changing color. This sensitive and specific cadmium biosensor offers a macroscopic detection method for environmental monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Biotechnology
  • Biosensor Development

Background:

  • Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal pollutant requiring sensitive detection methods.
  • Whole-cell biosensors offer a promising approach for environmental monitoring due to their potential for in situ detection.
  • Deinococcus radiodurans is a robust bacterium known for its radiation resistance, making it a suitable chassis for engineered biosensors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design and characterize a colorimetric whole-cell biosensor for cadmium detection using genetically engineered Deinococcus radiodurans.
  • To identify and validate cadmium-inducible promoters for reporter gene expression.
  • To develop a visually detectable cadmium biosensor for macroscopic environmental monitoring.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
09:33

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium

Published on: December 17, 2018

  • Screening of cadmium-inducible promoter regions from Deinococcus radiodurans using microarray data.
  • Construction of lacZ reporter gene cassettes with selected promoters and introduction into D. radiodurans.
  • Engineering a colorimetric sensor strain (KDH081) by introducing a crtI reporter gene under the control of a validated promoter (P0659-1) into a crtI-deleted mutant.
  • Evaluation of promoter activity, specificity, sensitivity, and detection range for both lacZ and colorimetric assays.

    • Main Results:

    • The promoter derived from DR_0659 exhibited the highest specificity, sensitivity, and activity in response to cadmium.
    • A deletion fragment (P0659-1) retained cadmium-inducible activity, demonstrating complex promoter regulation.
    • The lacZ-based sensor detected cadmium in the range of 10 nM to 1 mM, with optimal expression up to 100 μM.
    • The engineered colorimetric sensor strain (KDH081) showed a visible color change from light yellow to red in the presence of cadmium (50 nM to 1 mM) without significant response to other metals.
    • Macroscopic detection of cadmium was achieved within one day using the naked eye.

    Conclusions:

    • Genetically engineered Deinococcus radiodurans (KDH081) serves as an effective colorimetric whole-cell biosensor for cadmium.
    • The developed biosensor demonstrates high specificity and sensitivity for cadmium detection.
    • This macroscopic detection method provides a practical tool for environmental monitoring of cadmium contamination.