Modeling a synthetic aptamer-based riboswitch biosensor sensitive to low hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• RNA aptamers and riboswitches form the basis of biosensors for chemical detection.
• Complex molecular and biochemical processes influence assay design in biosensing.
• Environmental detection of chemicals like RDX presents assay design challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a mathematical model for predicting fluorescence in RNA aptamer-based biosensors.
• To aid in the environmental detection of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX).
• To create a generalizable model for detecting various water-soluble chemicals.

Main Methods:

• Development of a mathematical model incorporating kinetic rate constants.
• Utilizing Escherichia coli bacteria with a riboswitch-DsRed fluorescent reporter system.
• Analyzing the relationship between chemical exposure concentration and time.

Main Results:

• The model predicts a distinct power-law relationship between exposure concentration and time.
• This relationship is applicable to a broad range of water-soluble chemicals.
• The model can inform the design of new biosensors for environmental monitoring.

Conclusions:

• The developed mathematical model simplifies biosensor assay design.
• It enables prediction of fluorescence detection thresholds for environmental chemicals.
• This approach facilitates the development of advanced chemical detection biosensors.