Engineered Biosensors in an Encapsulated and Deployable System for Environmental Chemical Detection

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Long-term exposure to low levels of 2-phenylphenol (2-PP) poses risks to human and aquatic health.
• Existing sensors for 2-PP are limited by cost and production challenges for widespread environmental monitoring.
• There is a need for whole-cell biosensors with effective biocontainment and visual reporting for field deployment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable, no-power living sensor for environmental detection of 2-PP.
• To create an engineered whole-cell biosensor system with robust biocontainment for field applications.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of encapsulated and deployable biosensors (eBEADS) for 2-PP detection.

Main Methods:

• Engineered *Escherichia coli* utilizing the 2-PP degradation pathway with a genetic amplification circuit for colorimetric output.
• Development of a physical biocontainment system using polyacrylamide alginate beads to encapsulate sensor strains.
• Integration of sensing strains and encapsulation materials to create a deployable living sensor system.

Main Results:

• The developed biosensor system detects 2-PP using a visual colorimetric output.
• Encapsulated biosensors (eBEADS) support long-term viability and analyte permeability.
• Amplification circuits increased reporter output up to 66-fold, detecting 1 μM 2-PP (unencapsulated) and 10 μM 2-PP (encapsulated).

Conclusions:

• eBEADS provide a sensitive and specific method for in-field detection of environmental contaminants like 2-PP.
• The system offers a viable, electronics-free solution for persistent environmental monitoring and personal protection.
• This living sensor technology demonstrates potential for real-time detection of chemical threats in diverse environments.