Team:Bielefeld-CeBiTec/Overview
Abstract
- We developed versatile cell-free biosensors which can be used as paper-based test strips. These offer significant advantages over conventional biosensors regarding biosafety, sensitivity and output signal. We created two technical approaches built upon self-made E. coli cell extract for cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) and our newly established, fluorescence based, Plasmid Repressor Interaction Assay (PRIA). Both can be immobilized on paper and lyophilized for long term storage. We developed an app that enables the detection of a fluorescence signal with your smartphone in combination with our specially designed black case. With these novel biosensor designs we show the universal applicability of our concept. To show this we tackle the problem of date rape drug intoxication, which is of increasing relevance in our area, by detecting a common ingredient. The second major problem we wanted to address is the contamination of water with heavy metals. Heavy metal sensors designed by previous iGEM teams as well as novel biosensors are combined to a modular, cell-free test strip for simultaneous detection. All in all, we are providing an extensible biosensor system on paper as a valuable tool for water quality analysis for everyone.
Biosensors We designed biosensors to detect heavy metals, which are still a massive problem all over the world, as well as date rape drugs, which are currently a major problem in our area. These biosensors are based on a common concept, detection is carried out by fluorescence.
CFPS The Cell-free Protein Synthesis is based on a self-made cell extract from disrupted E.coli cells. We add sensor-specific plasmidsFor and other vital components. A reporter protein is synthesized upon contact with the analyte and is detected using fluorescence analysis.
PRIA The Plasmid Repressor Interaction Assay works on the principle of a repressor binding to DNA. Interaction with the analyte induces a conformation change, which results in release of the DNA and a loss of the fluorescence signal. For more details take a look at PRIA.
Output Fluorescence analysis outside the lab sounds complicated, but it is not. We designed an easy method for detecting it using two filters, a black case and a smartphone app for interpretation.
