Difference between revisions of "Team:Bielefeld-CeBiTec/Overview"
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<img class="featurette-image img-responsive pull-left" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/3/3f/Bielefeld-CeBiTec_CFPS_3_overview.jpg" alt="survey result" width="500px" > | <img class="featurette-image img-responsive pull-left" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/3/3f/Bielefeld-CeBiTec_CFPS_3_overview.jpg" alt="survey result" width="500px" > | ||
<p class="lead"><b>CFPS</b></br> | <p class="lead"><b>CFPS</b></br> | ||
| − | + | The Cell Free Protein Synthesis is based on a self-made crude cell extract from disrupted <i>E.coli</i> cells. We add sensor-specific plasmids. A reporter protein is synthesized and is detected using fluorescence analysis.</p> | |
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Revision as of 19:19, 17 September 2015
Abstract
- We developed 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 and our newly established, fluorescence based, Plasmid Repressor Interaction Assay (PRIA). Both can be immobilized on paper. We developed an app that enables the detection of a fluorescence signal via smartphone. With these novel biosensor designs 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 on paper as a valuable tool for water quality analysis for everyone.
Biosensors In our project we designed two different biosensors. One to detect heavy metals, which are still a major problem all over the world, the other to detect residues of date rape drugs, which is not only a relevant topic in our area, but all over the world. These sensors are based on a simple concept, detection is carried out by fluorescence.
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 decrease in fluorescence.
CFPS The Cell Free Protein Synthesis is based on a self-made crude cell extract from disrupted E.coli cells. We add sensor-specific plasmids. A reporter protein is synthesized and is detected using fluorescence analysis.
Fluorescence analysis outside the lab sounds complicated, but it is not. We designed an easy method for detecting it using two filters, a “black box” and a smartphone App for interpretation.
