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Development and Application of a Synthetically-Derived Lead Biosensor Construct for Use in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Lara Bereza-Malcolm1, Sanja Aracic2, Ashley E Franks3
1Applied and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia. ltbereza-malcolm@students.latrobe.edu.au.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 22, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed bacterial biosensors to detect lead contamination in water. These sensitive, rapid, and specific whole-cell sensors offer a new tool for environmental monitoring of toxic heavy metals.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic biology
- Environmental microbiology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Lead contamination from historical manufacturing and improper disposal poses a significant environmental and health risk.
- Lead poisoning affects all living organisms through various exposure routes.
- Effective monitoring tools are crucial for managing lead-polluted water sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer novel whole-cell bacterial biosensors for the detection of lead.
- To apply synthetic biology principles for creating a responsive genetic construct.
- To develop a tool for rapid and specific lead detection in environmental samples.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a genetic element using pbrR (regulatory protein) and a promoterless gfp gene.
- Utilized a divergent promoter region controlled by PbrR in response to lead.
- Cloned the biosensor onto a broad host range plasmid for stability in various bacterial hosts.
Main Results:
- Developed plasmid-based whole-cell bacterial biosensors.
- Demonstrated that GFP expression is regulated by PbrR in the presence of lead.
- Confirmed the biosensors' sensitivity, rapidity, and specificity for lead detection.
Conclusions:
- The constructed bacterial biosensors are effective tools for monitoring lead in contaminated water.
- Synthetic biology offers a viable approach for developing microbial-based environmental sensors.
- These biosensors can aid in managing and mitigating lead pollution.
